Members of a Russian-Backed Network are Detained by Moldovan Police for Plotting Unrest

Authorities in Moldova claim to have thwarted a scheme by groups of actors trained by Russia to incite widespread violence at a demonstration against the nation’s new pro-western government.

Viorel Cernauteanu, the head of the Moldovan police, claimed at a press conference that an undercover agent had gotten into groups of “diversionists,” some of whom were Russian citizens, who were allegedly promised $10,000 to organize “mass disorder” during the protest in the nation’s capital, Chisinau, on Sunday. He said that seven persons were apprehended.

The rally was one of several that Movement for the People, a group supported by the pro-Russian Communist Party of Moldova, which controls six seats in the 101-seat legislature of the nation, organized in recent weeks. On Sunday, thousands Romanian citizens rallied in Chișinău to protest the pro-European government’s sharp increase in living expenses.

Gas prices have increased up to six times in Moldova, a nation of 2.6 million people, as Russia has cut off supply during the past year. The oil crisis and the conflict in the nearby Ukraine have also contributed to the 30% inflation rate.

The government has subsidized electricity costs with assistance from western economies, but many people are still having trouble.

“What can sustain us?” remarked Tamara, a 70-year-old protester.

Ivan Vasile, an 85-year-old protester, claimed that his pension was the equivalent of £100 per month. “Can I afford to get cheese for myself? I am unable,” Vasile stated. I don’t consume much more than bread. Gas and electricity used to be more affordable. Democracy belongs to the wealthy.

The government has denounced months of protests held by the party of the wanted pro-Russian businessman Ilan Shor as an attempt by the Moscow to destabilize the nation. The billionaire is thought to have left for Israel after being found guilty of taking $1 billion (£830 million) from the banks of Moldova.

Leaders of the Shor party pushed protesters to breach police barriers by yelling over the speakers, “Down with Maia Sandu, Moldova’s pro-European president, “Down with tyranny,” and “Down with the police” during Sunday’s demonstrations.

Police said that they detained 54 protestors, including 21 kids, for engaging in “questionable behavior” or for having illegal goods on them, including at least one weapon. Four bomb threats were reported by the police on Sunday, including one at the international airport in the city, which they described as “a continuing aspect of the destabilization operations” against Moldova.

Moldova is in a perilous geopolitical position as a neighbor of Ukraine. Already present in the unrecognized breakaway state of Transnistria, which Moscow supports, are some 1,500 Russian troops.

The crowd was not unanimously pro-Russian. “I am here to see how people are being deceived,” said Ion Grosu, a retiree. “They wish to return to the days of the Soviet Union, but empires fall.”

A dozen counter-protesters chanted “Shor, go to prison” over a microphone a short distance from the anti-government demonstration.

“Many people do not comprehend that crooks want to come to power,” claimed Alexandru Melnic, an 82-year-old counter-protester. On the country’s aspirations for EU membership, he added, “For the first time in 32 years [since Moldova gained independence], we are taking the first steps in the correct way. Together with Ukraine, Moldova was granted EU candidate status in June of last year.

Last month, Sandu said that Russia intended to educate foreign nationals in military tactics so they could pose as demonstrators and infiltrate government buildings to kidnap people. John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communication at the US National Security Council, issued a warning about more Russian attempts to destabilize Moldova on Friday.

Viorel Cernăuțeanu, the head of the Moldovan police, claimed at a press conference prior to the protest that the FSB, Russia’s secret services, intended to use 10 groups of five to ten Russian and Moldovan men with a history of criminal activity or athletic training to breach security barriers and incite violence. But, Cernăuțeanu said, a Moldovan undercover agent assisted in exposing the intentions. Several people were taken into custody, including seven operation commanders.

Last month, Sandu said that Russia intended to educate foreign nationals in military tactics so they could pose as demonstrators and infiltrate government buildings to kidnap people. John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communication at the US National Security Council, issued a warning about more Russian attempts to destabilize Moldova on Friday.

Viorel Cernăuțeanu, the head of the Moldovan police, claimed at a press conference prior to the protest that the FSB, Russia’s secret services, intended to use 10 groups of five to ten Russian and Moldovan men with a history of criminal activity or athletic training to breach security barriers and incite violence. But, Cernăuțeanu said, a Moldovan undercover agent assisted in exposing the intentions. Several people were taken into custody, including seven operation commanders.