Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/740 of 22 February 2024 amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova
Date: 2024-02-22
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU restrictive measure, Moldova, economic sanctions, international sanctions, legal person, natural person








L_202400740EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
Series L













2024/740


22.2.2024







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2024/740
of 22 February 2024
         
amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 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 Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 (1).












(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 the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/891.












(4)


Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.


Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




Done at Brussels, 22 February 2024.


For the Council


The President

H. LAHBIB
            





(1)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 of 28 April 2023 concerning restrictive measures in view of actions destabilising the Republic of Moldova (OJ L 114, 2.5.2023, p. 15).




ANNEX
The Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2023/891 is amended as follows:






(1)


the 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/dec/2024/740/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)