On September 2, the publication “Marshalpress” released a statement by pro-government expert Levan Nikoleishvili, in which he responded to the European Parliament member Markéta Gregorová. Nikoleishvili claimed that in Ukraine and Moldova, which are considered frontrunners in terms of EU accession, the governments have banned parties that were undesirable to them.
Levan Nikoleishvili, pro-government expert: “…In those countries that, according to you and your colleagues, are ahead of us in terms of EU accession, they have completely banned parties and media outlets that were undesirable to them, but we have not heard anything even remotely resembling outrage or concern about the ‘advanced’ Ukraine and Moldova.”
Update 6.09.2024: The same claim was voiced by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at the air of the program “Imedi Live” on September 4th.
Irakli Kobakhidze: “One by one, political parties are being banned in Ukraine and Moldova, but there are positive evaluations regarding this, including from the European Union. This is considered a normal process.”
Nikoleishvili’s claim is manipulative. In reality, the bans in Ukraine and Moldova did not target opposition parties and media that were simply undesirable to the government. Instead, they banned parties and media with ties to Russia. Other opposition parties and independent media continue to operate without restrictions in both countries.
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Which Parties and Media Were Banned in Moldova?
In June 2023, Moldova’s court declared the party of fugitive pro-Russian oligarch Ilan Shor, “Shor,” unconstitutional. Ilan Shor has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in Moldova for fraud and money laundering. According to Moldovan police, protests organized by Shor were used by Russian intelligence to destabilize the country.
It is important to note that despite the court’s order to dissolve the party, its members who entered the parliament retained their mandates as independent MPs. Moreover, in March of this year, the court deemed unconstitutional a legislative amendment that would have prohibited individuals associated with banned parties from participating in elections.
In November 2023, the pro-Russian party “Chance,” founded by leaders of the banned “Shor” party, was prohibited from participating in local elections due to allegations that it had used funds from Russia to bribe election commission members. In December of the same year, the court lifted the ban.
This year, Ilan Shor introduced the “Victory” bloc in Moscow, which includes “Chance” and other pro-Russian politicians. The bloc was denied registration for the October 20 presidential elections, citing the reason that one of the bloc’s member parties was already registered. Additionally, the bloc failed to provide information regarding campaign financing and the assets of its members. Another pro-Russian candidate, Ludmila Corsun, was denied registration because she does not speak Romanian, the state language of the country.
As for media bans, they were exclusively directed at pro-Russian outlets. All five channels whose broadcasting licenses were revoked this year were linked to pro-Russian oligarchs. More details on this can be found in the Myth Detector’s article:
The second largest faction in the Moldovan Parliament is the “Bloc of Communists and Socialists” led by former President Igor Dodon. Moreover, several other political parties exist in the country, as do numerous independent media outlets.
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Which Parties and Media Were Banned in Ukraine?
In Ukraine, the decision to suspend pro-Russian parties was made in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Eleven parties were banned due to their ties to Russia under martial law. Among them, the largest was Viktor Medvedchuk’s “Opposition Platform – For Life.” Medvedchuk was accused of treason, facilitating terrorist activities, and expropriating national resources in Ukraine. He attempted to flee the country but was captured and later exchanged with Russia for 200 detained Azov fighters. Medvedchuk is a close associate of Vladimir Putin, who is the godfather of Medvedchuk’s child. Another banned party was “Our,” led by Kremlin-affiliated Yevheniy Murayev, whom British intelligence suggested Russia planned to install as the leader of Ukraine after its subjugation.
In 2022, the Ukrainian Parliament passed a law banning pro-Russian parties involved in anti-Ukrainian activities.
Media outlets associated with pro-Russian oligarchs were banned in Ukraine in 2021 due to their dissemination of Kremlin propaganda. Among them were channels formally owned by “Opposition Platform – For Life” member Taras Kozak, but in reality, controlled by Medvedchuk.
For more on this, refer to the Myth Detector’s article: Who Did Zelensky Ban – the Opposition or Pro-Russian Parties and Media? (in Georgian)
Currently, apart from the ruling party, the Ukrainian Parliament includes five other parties, two platforms, and 24 independent MPs. Among them is the “Platform for Life and Peace,” formed by politicians who distanced themselves from the banned “Opposition Platform – For Life.” In both Ukraine and Moldova, many independent media outlets continue to function.
Therefore, the claim that the governments of Moldova or Ukraine are banning undesirable parties and media is manipulative. The bans targeted only pro-Russian parties and media outlets that acted against the interests of the country and undermined independence and territorial integrity. Besides these, several other opposition parties and media outlets operate without any restrictions.
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