The Moldovan sanctions programme specifically concerns the conduct of the government of the breakaway government of Transnistria, which has had de facto independence since the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
On 27th October 2023 the EU renewed its Moldova sanctions regime for one year until 31st October 2024.
On 22nd February 2024 the European Council imposed sanctions on six individuals and one entity responsible for actions aimed at detabilising the independence of Moldova. Those sanctioned include the Association of People with Epaulettes “Scutul Poporului”, a parliamentary organisation and its leader, Chiril Guzun, who allegedly attends protests and uses violence to destabilise the national government; Dmitry Milyutin, the Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Security Service’s Department of Operational Intelligence, responsible for Russia’s covert operations in the Transnistrian region of Moldova; Arina Corșicova, the executive of several communications media trusts in Moldova which have allegedly disseminated false information about the war in Ukraine; Dumitru Chitoroagă, the administrator of a media trust which allegedly spreads false claims about the Moldovan government and expresses support for Ilan Shor; Maria Albot, who leads one of Ilan Shor’s foundations and was allegedly involved in the “Bank Fraud” case that affected the stability of Moldova; and Victor Petrov, the leader of the People’s Union of Gagauzia, a pro-Russian socio-political movement allegedly receiving backing from Ilan Shor.
Sanction Name
Restrictive Measures Against The Republic Of Moldova
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Travel Ban:
• Those involved in designing or implementing the campaign of intimidation and closure against Latin-script schools in the Transdniestria region of Moldova.
Exemptions
1. Exemptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis on humanitarian grounds or for the attendance of inter-governmental meetings.
Sanction Name
Regulation on measures concerning Moldova
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze:
• Assets and economic resources which are the property or under the control -direct or indirect – of designated persons and entities, of persons and entities acting on behalf of designated persons or entities, and of companies and entities that are owned or controlled by designated persons or entities.
Travel Ban:
Entry into Switzerland and transit through Switzerland are prohibited for all designated persons.
Exemptions
1. Exemptions can be granted to prevent cases of hardship, to honour existing contracts, to honour debts pursuant to an existing judicial, administrative or arbitral measure or decision, to allow official diplomatic or consular activities, to allow activity of international organisations allowed immunity in international law, or to safeguard Swiss interests.
2. The State Secretariat for Migration may grant exemptions to the travel ban if there are proven humanitarian grounds, if the person travels to attend international conferences or to take part in a political dialogue concerning Moldova, or to safeguard Swiss interests.
