Moldovan citizen Iurie Manic, accused by French authorities of coordinating a group that carried out anti-Ukrainian graffiti in Paris on Russia’s orders, was detained in Romania, at the border with the Republic of Moldova. He was arrested for 15 days and is to be extradited to France, reports Ziarul de Iași, quoted by IPN.
Manic was placed under arrest on September 19, after the Iași Court of Appeal granted the prosecutors’ request for extradition to the French authorities. The decision is based on a notification entered into the Schengen Information System by the National SIRENE Office in France, in October 2025, based on a previously issued European arrest warrant.
Iurie Manic is under investigation for damaging or degrading goods, an act committed together with other individuals, also Moldovan citizens, and for undermining the morale of the armed forces, with the intention of harming the national defense of France. According to French legislation, if found guilty, he faces up to five years in prison.
The case is part of a broader series of acts of vandalism attributed to coordinated networks from abroad, which have targeted Paris since 2024. Numerous graffiti with coffins and the message “French soldiers in Ukraine”, as well as Stars of David, have been painted on buildings in the city. In various instances, the acts have been attributed to Moldovan or Bulgarian citizens.
According to Libération, in April, the Criminal Court of Paris convicted in absentia seven Moldovan citizens involved in creating graffiti, imposing fines ranging from one thousand to 10 thousand euros. Iurie Manic is said to have recruited the perpetrators and indicated the places where they should act, while Alexandr Grigorenco is considered by investigators to be the main organizer. The French authorities maintain that these actions are part of a hybrid warfare strategy meant to amplify tensions regarding France’s support for Ukraine.
