Supporters of the political bloc "Victory" distributed 2,400 lei to the residents of the village of Izvoare in the context of the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum.

In the context of the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum on October 20, 2024, the defendants Podubnaia Stela and Cristinoi Lilia, as supporters of the political bloc "Victory", participated in a scheme to distribute monetary funds to voters from a rural locality.

On September 1, 2024, Podubnaia Stela transferred to Lilia Cristinoi the amount of 21,600 lei, intended for distribution to several voters, in individual amounts of 2,400 lei each. On the same day, during a gathering organized in the locality, Cristinoi Lilia effectively distributed these amounts to the individuals identified on a list, in the presence of several participants.

First court: Conviction

The decision under review concerns an accusation of electoral corruption under Article 181¹ of the Criminal Code, charged against the defendants Podubnaia Stela and Cristinoi Lilia, consisting of offering and distributing monetary means to voters in order to influence their voting choice in the presidential elections and the constitutional referendum on October 20, 2024.

The acts were committed within the framework of a locally organized activity, in which the defendants, acting in concert with other individuals affiliated with the political bloc “Victory,” participated in organizing meetings, involved voters in campaign activities, and utilized communication and mobilization mechanisms, including groups on social networks and collecting identification data of participants. In this context, on September 1, 2024, Podubnaia Stela transferred a total amount of 21,600 lei to Lilia Cristinoi, who subsequently distributed 2,400 lei each to several voters during a gathering organized in the locality.

Although it was claimed that these amounts represented remuneration for volunteer activities or “charity” actions, the court found that they were offered in direct connection with the electoral process, accompanied by explanations regarding voting options, including directing voters towards a certain option in the referendum and excluding a certain candidate from voting preferences. The court of first instance found the defendants guilty of the crime of electoral corruption, noting that their actions affected the freedom of voters' will and the integrity of the electoral process.

In individualizing the punishment, the court took into account the lack of criminal records, the personal circumstances of the defendants, and the nature of the act, considering that the purpose of the punishment could be achieved without applying a custodial sentence, for which reason it ordered the punishment to be applied in the form of a monetary fine.