Germany and US condemn Russian interference in Moldova's presidential election

We're seeing massive interference by Russia in our electoral process as Moldovans vote in the presidential run-off today, an effort with high potential to distort the outcome.

Stanislav Secrieru, Ms Sandu's national security adviser, said

No one rang us to threaten a bomb it was the police who came to us

Mr Turcan said

We have received an unsubstantiated threat to a building, which is being used as a polling station today

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said

No one incident of meddling is catastrophic but if they keep attacking both directly and through interference they will force countries to spend more and more money to prevent it.

He said

Russia has been involved in trying to create disruption and influence elections across the world to try and make sure the results are favourable to Russia

He said

I have no idea what happened but it is likely the one who doesn't want Moldova to join Europe and wants to go against the best president to lead our country.

He said

We classify the event as a challenge to state institutions, which are now accused of restricting citizens’ movement to exercise their voting rights. We urge those intentionally provoking state institutions to refrain from such gestures and to allow proper conduct of voter participation and avoid wasting resources [on fake threats – ed.]."

Quote from Moldovan Police

Dear diaspora, thank you for your incredible mobilisation! You are a formidable force. Those who fear you have spread false bomb threats at several polling stations. Don’t be afraid, keep voting. Every honest vote helps save Moldova."

Quote from Sandu

Additional measures are in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process,

the adviser noted

The plane appears capable of carrying anywhere from 260 to 400 voters – clear evidence of large-scale, organised voter transportation,

he pointed out

The goal is to interrupt the voting process during the (bomb threat) evacuation and check by the police. We kindly ask [you] to apply procedures and protocols that do not interrupt the voting process,

Moldova told several EU countries

The aim is to disrupt the electoral process,

the letter warned