Former MP to stand trial for illegal financing of Victory/Pobeda Bloc and money laundering

Former MP Viorel Melnic will stand trial after being charged with the illegal financing of political parties and money laundering. The case will be examined on its merits by the Chișinău Court.

According to the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, the former MP allegedly acted unofficially in the interests of the political parties that are part of the Victory/Pobeda Political Bloc. Together with other individuals and with the involvement of several intermediaries, he allegedly participated in a scheme through which the political formations were financed from sources prohibited by law.

Between July and September 2025, the accused allegedly received, in three installments, cash amounts of 300,000 lei, €54,000, US$100,000, and an additional €16,000. The total value of the funds allegedly amounted to approximately 3.33 million lei.

The funds were subsequently allegedly transferred to other individuals to finance the activities of the “Victory/Pobeda” Political Bloc.

Part of the money was allegedly used to promote the bloc’s image, including to carry out renovation work at a football stadium in the municipality of Orhei, as well as to renovate and reconstruct courtyards of apartment buildings in localities in the south of the country.

According to prosecutors, the funds that were not accounted for or declared by the political formations were also intended to support a candidate in the parliamentary elections of September 28, 2025, participate in meetings and rallies, and provide other services for the benefit of the political formations.

The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office claims that part of the money originating from illicit sources was also transferred and converted, including through the use of the USDT cryptocurrency. The operations were allegedly carried out through an intermediary responsible for sending the funds to the Republic of Moldova in cryptocurrency, with the aim of concealing their origin and bringing them into the country.

The funds obtained after the conversion of the cryptocurrency were subsequently allegedly used to illegally finance the “Victory/Pobeda” Political Bloc.

To ensure the enforcement of a potential fine and/or the application of special confiscation, prosecutors seized certain funds. According to the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, these cover the total value of the alleged illegal financing.