Opposition protest leader detained in Moldova

Marina Tauber, a leading protestor, has led a street demonstration against President Maia Sandu who is a proponent of rapid integration of Moldova into the European Union, a poor ex-Soviet country located between Ukraine and EU member Romania.

Tauber is the senior member of Moldova’s second-largest opposition party, led by Ilan SOR. He lives in exile and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment last month in connection with bank fraud.

Sandu and officials claim that Tauber's involvement in the loud protests is part of an attempt to disrupt the public affairs of Moldova and act for the interests of Russia.

In a press release, Irina Gotisan, presidential press secretary said that "everyone is required to adhere to the legal norms of Republic of Moldova. Any action in violation of those norms will be punished... by law."

Tauber is facing fraud charges over party funding and was arrested when she tried to leave for Israel against court orders. According to the prosecutor’s office, she remained in jail on Monday night.

Moldova has condemned Russia's invasion in Ukraine and accused the Kremlin for trying to destabilize the country.

Sandu was re-elected in 2020 with a huge majority. Her PAS party, that supports her pro-European policy, also holds the majority in parliament. The protests have not posed a serious threat to Sandu's authority.

Tauber will also play a part in the upcoming elections in Gagauzia in Moldova, a region populated by ethnic Turks that adhere to Orthodox Christianity and favor close relations with Russia.

All eight candidates were pro-Russian. Tauber is expected to be the campaign manager for one of two candidates who will compete in a runoff at the end of this month.

Sandu's PAS party has been criticized for not fielding a candidate, claiming that such a hopeful would face a crushing defeat within the region.

Transdniestria is another Moldovan region that broke away from Moldova during the 1990s. It has been supported by 1,500 Russian peacekeepers since the brief war following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

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