- Fugitive Moldovan businessmen returns to Israeli base, Interpol says

Fugitive pro-Russian Moldovan businessman Ilan Shor, who is accused of influencing an election in Moldova by “buying” voters, has returned to Israel, according to an Interpol official. Viorel Tentiu, the head of Interpol’s office in Moldova, stated that Shor arrived in Israel by air last Wednesday, but it is unknown where he had been or where his flight originated. Tentiu confirmed that Shor landed at Ben Gurion airport but could not provide further details about his whereabouts. Tentiu had previously announced that Shor left Israel on November 6. Shor has been sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison for a $1 billion bank fraud and has been organizing protests from Israel to demand the resignation of President Maia Sandu’s government. His party has been outlawed by the Constitutional Court, and his allies were barred from running in the recent local elections. Moldovan officials have accused Shor of channeling 50 million euros into Moldova to influence voters. Interpol has requested that all member-states report if Shor is on their territory. President Sandu has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of plotting against her as she seeks EU membership for Moldova. Russia denies these allegations and accuses Sandu of conducting an anti-Russian campaign.