Moldovan opposition claim political repression

Reports are coming out of Moldova to the effect that the Moldovan authorities are preparing a crackdown on leaders of the pro-Russian opposition.

It is alleged that on 7 March, a court controlled by President Maia Sandu and the ruling PAS party plans to sentence Irina Lozovan and Alexander Nesterovskiy (pictured) —members of the Moldovan Parliament and leaders of the "Revival" party, part of the opposition "Victory" bloc—to prison terms.

The deputies are known for their consistent pro-Russian stance, opposing Moldova’s European integration and advocating for renewed ties with Russia.

The reports allege that the authorities are using fabricated criminal cases to stage a show trial against the lawmakers, aiming to intimidate the entire genuine opposition in the country.

Lozovan and Nesterovskiy are recognized for their pro-Russian stance, opposing European integration and advocating for stronger ties with Russia. They claim they support traditional values and strive to preserve historical memory.

Their supporters allege that the authorities are leveraging trumped-up charges to orchestrate a show trial against the deputies to intimidate and demoralize the genuine opposition and discredit Moldova’s policy of rapprochement with EAEU member states.

They allege that cases are being fast-tracked to remove opposition leaders from the political arena ahead of parliamentary elections.

The opposition claims that political repression targets all genuine opposition leaders in Moldova, and that detentions, arrests, raids, interrogations, intimidation, and trials have become routine.

It is certainly true that political pressure is intensifying ahead of parliamentary elections.

The opposition claims that pro-European authorities fear losing control and that there is significant public support for the opposition. They say this was demonstrated in recent presidential elections and the referendum.

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