Scheme of illegal financing of the Political Party "Șor" through means obtained from the organized criminal group led by Ilan Șor for the organization and remuneration of anti-government protests in 2022.

During the period from July to October 2022, Antonina Baraniuc allegedly coordinated the mobilization and transportation of individuals from the Ungheni district to protests organized in the municipality of Chișinău, including by transmitting lists of participants and information through the applications "Telegram" and "Viber", organizing logistics and managing the distribution of funds intended for transportation and remuneration of the protesters.

According to the prosecution, she organized the participation of thousands of people in protests held in front of the General Prosecutor's Office, the Presidency, and Parliament, with total estimated expenses exceeding 3.2 million lei, including for the protesters involved in the "City of Change", who were paid 100 USD per day. Vadim Ajder, as the president of the territorial organization Rezina, allegedly organized the mobilization of participants for the protests, identifying transporters and distributing funds intended for transportation and remuneration of individuals participating in the demonstrations. According to the case materials, he received and managed funds transmitted by couriers, used for financing the protests and for the activity of the territorial organization Rezina.

The court found that, during the period from July to October 2022, repeated trips of the protesters to Chișinău were organized, with amounts paid for transportation and individual remuneration of approximately 400 lei per participant, as well as payments for individuals permanently in the tents of the "City of Change". The total amount allocated to the territorial organization Rezina was estimated at approximately 1.93 million lei.

Other property measures: The court upheld the seizure applied to the movable and immovable property of Antonina Baraniuc, including a car, shares in two residential properties, a commercial building, and an agricultural land, with a total estimated value of approximately 1,719,310 lei, for the purpose of ensuring special confiscation and with a prohibition on the alienation of the property. The court upheld the seizure applied to the movable and immovable property of Vadim Ajder, including two means of transport and two agricultural lands, with a total estimated value of 603,425.38 lei, for the purpose of ensuring special confiscation and with a prohibition on the alienation of the property.

First court: Conviction

Imprisonment with execution. Imprisonment: 48 months (with suspended sentence)

The decision under review concerns the conviction of Antonina Baraniuc and Vadim Ajder for complicity in the knowing acceptance of illegal financing of the Political Party "Șor" from the organized criminal group led by Ilan Șor, an act provided for by art. 30, art. 42 para. (5), art. 45 and art. 181² para. (5) of the Criminal Code. The court found that, during the period from July to October 2022, the two, as presidents of the territorial organizations Ungheni and Rezina, contributed to the organization of protests in the municipality of Chișinău by mobilizing participants, coordinating transport, and managing logistics and financial resources intended for the remuneration of protesters. The total amount allocated to the Ungheni territorial organization was estimated at over 3.2 million lei, while the amount related to the Rezina territorial organization was approximately 1.93 million lei. Antonina Baraniuc was sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment with a suspended sentence and a probation period of 3 years, while Vadim Ajder was sentenced to 4 years of imprisonment, of which 2 years are to be served in a semi-closed penitentiary and 2 years were conditionally suspended for a probation period of 2 years. Both defendants were prohibited for 5 years from holding managerial or financial and logistical administrative positions within political parties. The court maintained the asset seizure applied to Vadim Ajder's property, including two vehicles and two agricultural plots, with an estimated value of 603,425.38 lei, for the purpose of ensuring special confiscation. Regarding Antonina Baraniuc, the seizure was maintained on a car, shares in two residences, a commercial building, and an agricultural plot, with a total estimated value of approximately 1,719,310 lei. The court noted that the amount of illegal financing attributed to Antonina Baraniuc is 3,213,901.98 lei. In the case of Vadim Ajder, the amount allocated for illegal financing activities was estimated at 1,932,830.04 lei.