Russian security services suspect Moldovan lawmaker Marina Tauber and other leaders of the “Pobeda” bloc of siphoning off millions of dollars allocated by Moscow to finance protests aimed at destabilising the country, according to a media investigation published on September 9. The allegations echo earlier court testimony in the case against Gagauzia’s governor, Evghenia Gutul, where prosecutors presented evidence of illicit funding of the Shor party. Protest participants complained of late or missing payments despite promises of substantial compensation.
Missing millions and reduced payouts
Journalists reported that around $10 million disappeared in 2023 alone, with as much as 70% of funds sent from Russia and Israel over recent years allegedly vanishing. Protesters expected about $300 per day but in practice received only 700–800 lei. Exiled oligarch Ilan Shor, under pressure from Moscow, created an internal security unit to investigate the losses. Led by former police officer Vladimir Cioban, the unit prepared a report for senior FSB official Mikhail Polzikov, asserting that Tauber orchestrated systematic embezzlement with the help of 61 local leaders.
Internal disputes and intercepted communications
Cioban’s report suggested curbing Tauber’s control over finances and even passing compromising material to Moldovan prosecutors to neutralise problematic organisers. Witnesses later described frustrations within the party: Kristina Galescu, a former planning chief, testified that payment issues became “a taboo” topic in autumn 2022, though local leaders complained privately about missing sums. Other members, including Elena Vitinskaia, noted that some protesters continued to attend rallies without pay, hoping eventual compensation would come.
Court records cited further testimonies, including from Vadim Turcan, deputy head of the Balti branch, who recalled discussions in late 2022 about obtaining €40,000–50,000 from an associate of Tauber. Wiretaps revealed discontent among regional organisers in Soroca and Glodeni, where activists said they received only 350–400 lei instead of higher amounts.
Tens of millions spent on protests
According to court documents, between July and October 2022 the Shor party spent roughly 83.3 million lei on nine major demonstrations. Expenses included transport, meals, and daily stipends of 300–400 lei per person. The figures were based on records seized from a party staffer, underscoring the scale of financial flows used to sustain anti-government rallies.
Marina Tauber and her allies have not commented publicly on the latest allegations. The revelations deepen scrutiny of Russian funding channels in Moldova as authorities intensify efforts to curb illicit political financing.
