Moldovan broadcaster’s headquarters targeted in pre-election vandalism spree

Moldova’s state-owned broadcaster reported on Sept. 28 that vandals had splashed paint across the entrance of its building in the capital, Chisinau. This incident occurred a day after police attributed similar acts to a group trained in Moscow with the aim of destabilizing the upcoming elections.
“We are not afraid of this act of vandalism, as long as we are devoted to society and citizens,” Andrei Zapsa, deputy director general of Teleradio-Moldova, was quoted as saying, according to Reuters. Zapsa noted that the station had always anticipated potential attacks from “radical groups.”
Police also reported that vandals poured paint on the Supreme Court building overnight.
Moldovan authorities have connected these incidents to a group trained in Moscow to provoke instability ahead of next month’s presidential election, where pro-European incumbent President Maia Sandu is favored to win against 10 challengers.
Sandu’s main opponents include Alexander Stoianoglo, who lost his position as prosecutor general and is supported by pro-Russian opposition parties, and Renato Usatii, who advocates for good relations with both the West and Moscow.
On Sept. 27, Moldovan law enforcement agencies detained two young men in connection with similar incidents that occurred overnight, where they splashed yellow paint—the color of Sandu’s ruling pro-European party—on two other government buildings. Police apprehended a 21-year-old man in a park and his 20-year-old accomplice near the parliament.
According to police, the detainees said that they received 5,000 euros for one attack and underwent training in Russia. One of them admitted to recruiting young individuals who later traveled to Moscow and were paid 500 euros a month.