Fact check: Disinformation surges ahead of Moldova’s elections | DW News

Key Concepts

• Moldova elections (September 28th)
• Russian interference/disinformation
• Suppression of Opposition (Yania Gutsu case)
• EU Accession and Disinformation Campaigns
• NATO Militarization Claims
• Moldova's Neutrality
• AI manipulation

Moldova Elections and Russian Interference

Moldova is heading to the polls on September 28th, a nation politically divided between pro-Brussels and pro-Moscow sentiments. Russian officials have criticized Moldova's democracy. A key issue is the spread of fake news, anti-EU narratives, and online propaganda allegedly aimed at influencing Moldova's future political direction.

Narrative 1: Suppression of Opposition

Russia alleges that Moldova is suppressing the opposition, citing the arrest of Yania Gutsu, the governor of the autonomous Gaga region. Gutsu was charged with funneling $2.5 million from Russia to a banned party. Gutsu has been sanctioned by the U.S., EU, Canada, and Switzerland. Kremlin spokesperson Dimmitri Peshov called this "illegal pressure on electoral competitors." Russian politician Constantine Zatulin suggested military intervention.

However, Moldovan courts state the issue is illegal financing, not free speech suppression. The money was allegedly funneled to a party associated with fugitive oligarch Elon Shores, who is living in Russia to avoid a 15-year prison sentence for stealing $1 billion from Moldovan banks. Shores offered $3,000 to anyone protesting against the pro-EU government.

Narrative 2: Anti-EU Disinformation

Moldovan social media is reportedly filled with anti-EU sentiment, discrediting politicians who support EU accession. Research groups have identified campaigns that sow distrust towards pro-EU President Maya Sandu. The Atlantic Council found links between the TV channel "Moldova 24" and Russian state media.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to create disinformation. One example is a manipulated video purportedly showing Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu calling Moldovans "a flock of sheep" and stating that they will be sent to war. This video, using AI to mimic Grosu's voice, is spreading online with the visual identity of "DG24," a Romanian news outlet that has never published such a video.

Narrative 3: NATO Militarization

Russia's foreign intelligence agency claims NATO is militarizing Moldova and preparing the country for conflict. This includes the false claim that NATO wants to station military bases and troops in Moldova.

This claim is false because Moldova is a neutral state by law (Article 11 of the constitution), prohibiting the stationing of foreign military troops. Changing this status would require a referendum (Article 142 of the constitution), which hasn't occurred.

NATO officials have reaffirmed their commitment to Moldova's neutral status. While NATO's founding treaty doesn't explicitly forbid bases in non-member countries, deployments require the host nation's consent. The only foreign military stationed in Moldova is the Russian military, the operational group of Russian forces in Transnistria.

Conclusion

The video exposes three false narratives being circulated to influence the upcoming Moldovan elections and public opinion. These narratives focus on suppressing opposition, discrediting EU accession, and falsely claiming NATO militarization. Moldova's constitutional neutrality and the need for a referendum to change its status are key facts. The use of AI in disinformation campaigns further complicates the information landscape.