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

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 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).

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/740/oj 1/52/5

ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/740/oj 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, Chiril Guzun is the founder and current leader of the “Scutul Poporului”, a paramilitary 22.2.2024 currently the leader of a paramilitary organisation in the Republic of Moldova, including former military, police and law-enforcement group, “SCUTUL POPORULUI” 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,

DOB: 27.4.1979 groups of protesters affiliated to the subsequently-banned “Partidul ȘOR” and to the Building

POB: Ratus, Criuleni, SSR Moldova 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

Gender: male demonstrations.

Nationality: Republic of Moldova 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”.

7. Dmitry MILYUTIN Deputy head of the Department of Dmitry Milyutin is the Deputy Head of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB)’s Department 22.2.2024 Operational Intelligence of of Operational Intelligence, responsible for Russia’s covert operations in the Republic of Directorate 5, Russian Federal Moldova since 2016, especially in the Transnistria region, destabilising the constitutional order.

Security Service (FSB) 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

DOB: 30.5.1967 democratic political process in the Republic of Moldova. Furthermore, Milyutin’s group is

POB: Ijevsk, USSR (now Russian involved in organising violent protests and other acts of violence taking place in the Republic of Federation) Moldova. By seriously undermining the democratic political process, attempting to destabilise the constitutional order, and by facilitating violent demonstrations and other acts of violence,

Gender: male Dmitry Milyutin is supporting actions which undermine and threaten the sovereignty and

Nationality: Russian independence, democracy, rule of law, stability and security of the Republic of Moldova. He is also associated with the listed person Igor Chaika.

ID Card Number: 0134180 EN OJ L,

22.2.2024ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/740/oj 3/5 Name Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing

8. Arina Evgheni DOB: 28.12.1974 Arina Corșicova leads several communications media trusts in the Republic of Moldova, one of 22.2.2024 CORȘICOVA which owns two television channels, “ACCENT TV” and “PRIMUL ÎN MOLDOVA”, the

Gender: female broadcasting licences of which were suspended by the Republic of Moldova, for disseminating

Nationality: Republic of Moldova 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, State Identification Number (IDNP):

“Primul în Moldova” continues to disseminate false statements aimed at destabilising the 0962011898118 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.

9. Dumitru DOB: 23.12.1984 Dumitru Chitoroagă is the administrator of a media trust which owns several media 22.2.2024 CHITOROAGĂ communication channels in the Republic of Moldova, channels of which he is also the director.

Gender: male Those media communication channels frequently promote messages aimed at obstructing and

Nationality: Republic of Moldova undermining the democratic political process through evidently false claims regarding the government of the Republic of Moldova. Moreover, they express manifest support for listed State Identification Number (IDNP):

person Ilan Shor and his political party “SHOR” (“ŞOR”). Some of those channels were owned or 2002003101445 founded by Ilan Shor through intermediaries.

Passport number: AB1187605 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.

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ELI:

http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/740/oj Name Identifying information Statement of Reasons Date of listing

10. Maria ALBOT External relations advisor to the Maria Albot is a long-time trusted associate of listed person Ilan Shor. She currently has a 22.2.2024 Bashkan of Gagauzia 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 Administrator of the “Miron Shor” held positions in other companies or foundations owned by or associated with Ilan Shor.

Foundation Therefore, she is associated with Ilan Shor.

Shareholder of the “Banca Socială”

DOB: 21.1.1986

Gender: female

Nationality: Republic of Moldova State Identification Number (IDNP):

2000088038487

11. Victor PETROV Politician, member of the People’s Victor Petrov is a deputy to the bashkan of the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia and the leader of 22.2.2024’;

Assembly of Gagauzia 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.

DOB: 29.6.1975 Victor Petrov is actively engaged in the dissemination of disinformation, and in inciting violence

Gender: male and fear among the Gagauzian people of the Republic of Moldova regarding a potential loss of

Nationality: Republic of Moldova 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 State Identification Number (IDNP):

continued through a new domain, “gagauznews.com” and through Petrov’s declarations.

0973004885136 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.

EN OJ L,

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http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2024/740/oj 5/5

(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 – Type of entity: NGO – paramilitary “Scutul Poporului” is a paramilitary organisation in the Republic of Moldova, including former 22.2.2024’.

Association of People group military, police and law-enforcement personnel. It is led by Chiril Guzun and it attends protests, with Epaulettes particularly to destabilise the Republic of Moldova, by using violence. During the attempts of

Address: 74, Mitropolit Varlam “Scutul Poporului” February 2023 to destabilise the national government, groups of protesters affiliated to the street, Chişinău, Republic of subsequently-banned “Partidul ȘOR” and to the Building Europe at Home Party, “Partidul Acasă (Asociația Obștească Moldova Construim Europa” (PACE) were supported and surrounded by members of the “Scutul – Asociația

Registration number: Poporului”, who were involved in riots and violent demonstrations.

Oamenilor cu Epoleți 1022620011296 “Scutul Poporului”) By engaging in and supporting violent demonstrations, “Scutul Poporului” is responsible for

Website: https://m.facebook.com/ actions which undermine and threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of people/Scutul-Poporului/ Moldova, and democracy, the rule of law, stability and security in the Republic of Moldova.

100088028496232/ Furthermore, “Scutul Poporului” is associated with listed person Chiril Guzun.

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