The operation “Laundromat” – the laundering of about US$20 billion from Russia through the Moldovan banking system – was possible by legislative amendments and by the consent of the political class. Such a conclusion was reached by experts of the Institute for Development and Social Initiative (IDIS) “Viitorul”, which published the first number of the applied research monitor “Hybrid Power”. According to the experts, the scheme to launder money from Russia through Moldova was planned in 2005-2007, but was implemented much later, in 2010, by other political players, IPN reports.
IDIS “Viitorul” executive director Igor Munteanu said the political system of Moldova is hybrid. The term ‘captured state’ refers more to the country’s economy, while the definition of ‘hybrid’ covers also the political and judicial systems.
One of the authors of the analysis Veaceslav Berbeca stated that the judicial bodies were the key elements in these illegal operations and their role was to just legalize the transactions. The close cooperation between the Moldova and Russian judicial systems was an important factor that enabled to launder Russian money through Moldova. The operation “Laundromat” affected first and foremost Moldova’s image.
The second author of the analysis Ion Tabarta said the Moldovan banking system is a kind of Achilles’ heel for the Moldovan political system. The laundering of the money wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of decision makers.
The expert presented possible scenarios of the development of the political and banking systems of Moldova. The first scenario is entitled “Cannibalization as a political strategy”, which means the continuation of disputes within the government coalition in which the more powerful political players eliminate the weaker ones. The second scenario is called “Banking system remains a boxing ring of foreign players”. This is a dangerous scenario, especially amid the diminution of confidence in the pro-European parties, as the country’s foreign development course could be reverted. The third scenario – “Justice and repair” – is the acceptable one and the institution of measures to confiscate the property of all the players involved in the banking frauds would be an important step in this direction.
IDIS “Viitorul” intends to analyze the effects of the political system of Moldova in each number of the monitor “Hybrid Power”.
