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Document 32024R0739

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/739 of 22 February 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/888 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova

ST/6192/2024/INIT

OJ L, 2024/739, 22.2.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/739/oj (BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, GA, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)

Legal status of the document In force

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/739/oj

European flag

Official Journal
of the European Union

EN

Series L


2024/739

22.2.2024

COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2024/739

of 22 February 2024

implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/888 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EU) 2023/888 of 28 April 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova (1), and in particular Article 13(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)

On 28 April 2023, the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/888.

(2)

The Union remains unwavering in its support for the Republic of Moldova and its resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities by external actors.

(3)

In view of the situation in the Republic of Moldova, the Council considers that six persons and one entity should be added to the list of natural and legal persons, entities and bodies set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/888.

(4)

Regulation (EU) 2023/888 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/888 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 22 February 2024.

For the Council

The President

H. LAHBIB


(1)   OJ L 114, 2.5.2023, p. 1.


ANNEX

Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2023/888 is amended as follows:

(1)

he following entries are added under the heading ‘A. Natural persons’:

 

Name

Identifying information

Statement of Reasons

Date of listing

‘6.

Chiril GUZUN

Former border police officer, currently the leader of a paramilitary group, “SCUTUL POPORULUI”

DOB: 27.4.1979

POB: Ratus, Criuleni, SSR Moldova

Gender: male

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

Chiril Guzun is the founder and current leader of the “Scutul Poporului”, a paramilitary organisation in the Republic of Moldova, including former military, police and law-enforcement personnel, which uses violence while attending protests, particularly to destabilise the Republic of Moldova. During the attempts of February 2023 to destabilise the national government, groups of protesters affiliated to the subsequently-banned “Partidul ȘOR” and to the Building Europe at Home Party, “Partidul Acasă Construim Europa” (PACE) were supported and surrounded by members of the “Scutul Poporului”, who were involved in riots and violent demonstrations.

Chiril Guzun is also a long-time acquaintance of Gheorghe Cavcaliuc, a listed person and the leader of the “PACE” party. Cavcaliuc admitted to coordinating with Guzun’s organisation regarding the violent protests. In addition, Natalia Guzun, the wife of Chiril Guzun, is vice-president of the “PACE” party.

In the role of “Scutul Poporului” leader, by directing, engaging in and supporting violent demonstrations, Chiril Guzun is responsible for actions which undermine and threaten the rule of law, stability and security in the Republic of Moldova. Furthermore, Chiril Guzun is associated with Gheorghe Cavcaliuc and with “Scutul Poporului”.

22.2.2024

7.

Dmitry MILYUTIN

Deputy head of the Department of Operational Intelligence of Directorate 5, Russian Federal Security Service (FSB)

DOB: 30.5.1967

POB: Ijevsk, USSR (now Russian Federation)

Gender: male

Nationality: Russian

ID Card Number: 0134180

Dmitry Milyutin is the Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB)’s Department of Operational Intelligence, responsible for Russia’s covert operations in the Republic of Moldova since 2016, especially in the Transnistria region, destabilising the constitutional order. Through his operatives, Milyutin directs, coordinates and manipulates chosen political actors in the Republic of Moldova in order to pursue pro-Russian agendas, thus undermining the democratic political process in the Republic of Moldova. Furthermore, Milyutin’s group is involved in organising violent protests and other acts of violence taking place in the Republic of Moldova. By seriously undermining the democratic political process, attempting to destabilise the constitutional order, and by facilitating violent demonstrations and other acts of violence, Dmitry Milyutin is supporting actions which undermine and threaten the sovereignty and independence, democracy, rule of law, stability and security of the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with the listed person Igor Chaika.

22.2.2024

8.

Arina Evgheni CORȘICOVA

DOB: 28.12.1974

Gender: female

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

State Identification Number (IDNP): 0962011898118

Arina Corșicova leads several communications media trusts in the Republic of Moldova, one of which owns two television channels, “ACCENT TV” and “PRIMUL ÎN MOLDOVA”, the broadcasting licences of which were suspended by the Republic of Moldova, for disseminating incorrect information concerning the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and current political events in the Republic of Moldova. Despite losing its television broadcasting licence, “Primul în Moldova” continues to disseminate false statements aimed at destabilising the constitutional order of the Republic of Moldova.

In this context, Arina Corșicova is also undermining the democratic political process in the Republic of Moldova by leading a disinformation campaign and by being politically backed by listed person Ilan Shor.

Furthermore, she is a long-time associate of Ilan Shor, having funded his electoral campaigns in the past and being an indirect shareholder of the “Banca Socială”, involved in the “Bank Fraud” case.

By undermining the democratic political process and destabilising the constitutional order Arina Corșicova is supporting actions and policies which undermine and threaten democracy, the rule of law, and stability in the Republic of Moldova. Furthermore, she is associated with Ilan Shor.

22.2.2024

9.

Dumitru CHITOROAGĂ

DOB: 23.12.1984

Gender: male

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

State Identification Number (IDNP): 2002003101445

Passport number: AB1187605

Dumitru Chitoroagă is the administrator of a media trust which owns several media communication channels in the Republic of Moldova, channels of which he is also the director. Those media communication channels frequently promote messages aimed at obstructing and undermining the democratic political process through evidently false claims regarding the government of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, they express manifest support for listed person Ilan Shor and his political party “SHOR” (“ŞOR”). Some of those channels were owned or founded by Ilan Shor through intermediaries.

The Republic of Moldova has legally suspended the broadcasting licences of several media channels, including those of “TV6” and “ORHEI TV”, which are under the administration of Dumitru Chitoroagă, for disseminating incorrect information regarding current political events in the Republic of Moldova.

Therefore, by obstructing and undermining the democratic political process, Dumitru Chitoroagă is responsible for actions which undermine and threaten democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Republic of Moldova. Furthermore, he is associated with Ilan Shor.

22.2.2024

10.

Maria ALBOT

External relations advisor to the Bashkan of Gagauzia

Administrator of the “Miron Shor” Foundation

Shareholder of the “Banca Socială”

DOB: 21.1.1986

Gender: female

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

State Identification Number (IDNP): 2000088038487

Maria Albot is a long-time trusted associate of listed person Ilan Shor. She currently has a leading role in one of his foundations, the “Miron Shor” Foundation, and she is involved in the “Bank Fraud” case that affected the financial stability of the Republic of Moldova. Previously, she held positions in other companies or foundations owned by or associated with Ilan Shor. Therefore, she is associated with Ilan Shor.

22.2.2024

11.

Victor PETROV

Politician, member of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia

DOB: 29.6.1975

Gender: male

Nationality: Republic of Moldova

State Identification Number (IDNP): 0973004885136

Victor Petrov is a deputy to the bashkan of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia and the leader of the People’s Union of Gagauzia, a manifestly pro-Russian socio-political movement that merged with the “Renaștere” political party. He receives political backing from listed person Ilan Shor.

Victor Petrov is actively engaged in the dissemination of disinformation, and in inciting violence and fear among the Gagauzian people of the Republic of Moldova regarding a potential loss of autonomy provoked by the authorities in Chișinău. As a result, authorities in the Republic of Moldova have blocked one of his websites, “gagauznews.md”. Nevertheless, the dissemination is continued through a new domain, “gagauznews.com” and through Petrov’s declarations.

By undermining the democratic political process and destabilising the constitutional order, Victor Petrov is supporting actions and policies which undermine and threaten democracy, the rule of law, and stability in the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with Ilan Shor.

22.2.2024’;

(2)

the following heading ‘B. Legal persons, entities and bodies’ and the following entry are added:

‘B.   Legal persons, entities and bodies

 

Name

Identifying information

Statement of Reasons

Date of listing

1.

Public Association – Association of People with Epaulettes “Scutul Poporului”

(Asociația Obștească – Asociația Oamenilor cu Epoleți “Scutul Poporului”)

Type of entity: NGO – paramilitary group

Address: 74, Mitropolit Varlam street, Chişinău, Republic of Moldova

Registration number: 1022620011296

Website: https://m.facebook.com/people/Scutul-Poporului/100088028496232/

“Scutul Poporului” is a paramilitary organisation in the Republic of Moldova, including former military, police and law-enforcement personnel. It is led by Chiril Guzun and it attends protests, particularly to destabilise the Republic of Moldova, by using violence. During the attempts of February 2023 to destabilise the national government, groups of protesters affiliated to the subsequently-banned “Partidul ȘOR” and to the Building Europe at Home Party, “Partidul Acasă Construim Europa” (PACE) were supported and surrounded by members of the “Scutul Poporului”, who were involved in riots and violent demonstrations.

By engaging in and supporting violent demonstrations, “Scutul Poporului” is responsible for actions which undermine and threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, and democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Republic of Moldova. Furthermore, “Scutul Poporului” is associated with listed person Chiril Guzun.

22.2.2024’.


ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2024/739/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)


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