Latest news with #Moldova
Russia Today
12 hours ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Pro-EU polices have driven up gas prices in Moldova sevenfold
The policies of President Maia Sandu's pro-EU government are hurting Moldova's economy, the nation's former president, Igor Dodon, said on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). However, the country's authorities have no concern about what happens to their people, as they only care about following Brussels' orders, he added. Gas prices in Moldova have jumped sevenfold over the four years Sandu's government has been in power, according to Dodon. 'They are acting on the orders of their Western curators. They do not care what happens to our nation's economy. They only want to push [Moldova] away from the Russian Federation,' said Dodon, who took part in meetings with representatives of several Russian ministries at SPIEF. His words were echoed by another member of the Moldovan delegation at SPIEF, Vadim Fotescu, an MP and member of the opposition Victorie bloc. Moldovan businesses had to 'hit the pause button' in their dealings with Russia because of Sandu's policies, he said at one of the sessions, adding that the nation's entrepreneurs are willing to work with Russia and want to return to its market. Fotescu said that the EU had done nothing for Moldova but subject it to 'credit slavery,' while throwing its businesses under the bus, noting that Moldovan entrepreneurs are now persecuted for having ties to former Soviet republics, including Russia. Exiled Moldovan tycoon Ilan Shor, who is the leader of the Victorie political bloc, confirmed this view at SPIEF, asserting that the West deliberately tries to 'buy off' nations facing economic difficulties to turn them into 'vassals, slaves' who do their masters' bidding. Shor held that this is what has happened to Ukraine, which is pushing its people to die for Western interests in its conflict with Moscow. Dodon stated on Wednesday that Moldova has no other path forward but to return to economic cooperation with Russia and other post-Soviet states. 'Moldova will not survive economically without Russia,' he told Radio Sputnik on the sidelines of SPIEF. According to the politician, the nation's debt has grown twofold over the past four years, and the Moldovan economy grew only by 0.1% in 2024. When Sandu came to power in Moldova in 2020, the former Soviet republic quickly changed course and began to quickly move towards EU and NATO membership. Her pro-Western and anti-Russian bent has triggered mounting domestic pushback driven by economic discontent, accusations of political repression, and a crackdown on the Moldovan Orthodox Church. During her tenure, Sandu has launched crackdowns on opposition parties and media outlets that she describes as criminal entities, while defending her actions as efforts to counter alleged pro-Russian influence.
New York Times
16 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Former Interpol Official Detained for Role in ‘Big Carousel' of Corruption
A former senior official at Interpol, the international police organization, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates under an arrest alert issued by his former employer at the request of France. The former official, Vitalie Pirlog, is wanted in France and his home country of Moldova in connection with a sprawling investigation into a scheme that allowed wanted fugitives to get red notices — which are arrest alerts — lifted in return for payments to corrupt officials. A statement released on Wednesday by the U.A.E.'s ministry of interior said Mr. Pirlog had been apprehended on Sunday and 'now faces multiple charges, including forgery, bribery, facilitating bribery, and fraud.' Nicolae Posturusu, a lawyer for Mr. Pirlog in Chisinau, Moldova's capital, declined to comment on his client's detention. Samuel Health, the spokesman for Interpol in Lyon, France, also declined to comment, saying Mr. Pirlog's case was 'a matter for local authorities' in the U.A.E. From 2017 until 2022, Mr. Pirlog, who previously served as justice minister and intelligence service director in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, led a powerful and highly sensitive commission at Interpol's headquarters in Lyon responsible for reviewing red notices. After leaving the police organization, he relocated to Dubai and came under scrutiny from French and Moldovan investigators looking into how dozens of fugitives wanted for drug trafficking and other crimes had managed to void Interpol arrest alerts against them. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Arabian Business
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Arabian Business
UAE arrests wanted former Interpol official on fraud charges
The UAE has arrested a former Interpol official wanted on suspicion of forgery, bribery and fraud charges. The Ministry of Interior in the UAE announced the arrest of Vitalie Pîrlog, a Moldovan national wanted in connection with a cross-border corruption case. Pîrlog, who had been the subject of an active Red Notice issued by INTERPOL at the request of French authorities, was apprehended on Sunday, 15th June 2025. UAE arrests Vitalie Pîrlog Previously, Pîrlog held the position of Chairman of the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files (CCF). He now faces multiple charges, including forgery, bribery, facilitating bribery, and fraud. The arrest is part of a sustained and strategic collaboration with international law enforcement bodies, and regional and global organisations, reaffirming the UAE's steadfast commitment to the security and stability of the international community. In a statement, French officials praised the Ministry of Interior's professionalism and resolve, emphasising that such coordinated operations highlight the vital importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime.
The National
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Former Moldovan justice minister wanted by Interpol on corruption charges arrested in UAE
The Ministry of Interior has announced the arrest of Moldovan Vitalie Pirlog, who is wanted by Interpol in connection with an international corruption case. Mr Pirlog was arrested in the UAE at the request of French authorities who asked for a red notice be issued against him by Interpol, state news agency Wam reported, adding that he faces charges including forgery, offering and mediating bribes, and fraud. In addition to previously serving as his country's justice minister, Mr Pirlog also performed a senior role in Interpol, where he was the chairman of the Interpol Commission for the Control of Files. "The arrest was carried out under continuing co-ordination with international and regional partners, including law enforcement agencies and global organisations, as part of broader efforts to ensure community safety and international security," Wam stated. "French authorities commended the professionalism and determination of the UAE Ministry of Interior, stating that such co-ordinated action underscores the importance of international co-operation in combating transnational crime."
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE arrests wanted Moldovan citizen Vitaliy Berlog in cross-border corruption case
The UAE announced the arrest of Vitaliy Berlog, a Moldovan national wanted in connection with a cross-border corruption case. Berlog, who is the subject of a valid Interpol Red Notice, was arrested at the request of French authorities on June 15. Perlog was previously chairman of Interpol's Commission for the Control of Files and was the subject of a Red Notice on charges of forgery, bribery, solicitation, and fraud.
