2014 Annual report

+ 373 688 50 555 facebook.com/risemoldova + 373 687 77 590 twitter.com/risemoldova [email protected] ok/risemoldova www.rise.md risemoldova Annual activity report 2014 2

RISE • About • Mission RISE Moldova Members About RISE Moldova Moldova and regional organized crime networks (The Association of Investigative Reporters Investigations and Editorial Security) is an independent, non- • „”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau governmental and non-profit organization • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan consisting of investigative journalists, bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week programmers and activists from Moldova and • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests . RISE investigates on such issues as • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop corruption, conflict of interests, money laundering, • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in offshore connections, and cross border organised masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in with the help of criminal network from Moldova crime schemes and networks. • Assassin in Law RISE Moldova in media • national • international RISE Moldova was registered at Ministry of Justice Statistics of Moldova at March 17, 2014 as a NGO • web (Registration number: 1014620001999). • facebook Mission Activities planned for 2015 Our mission is developing and promoting RISE Moldova Projects professional investigative journalism. Partners Annual activity report 2014 3

RISE Moldova • About • Mission Members Members RISE Moldova members IURIE SANDUTA ION PREASCA Moldova and regional organized crime networks are experienced investigative He is President of RISE He worked and member Editor in chief, Mold-Street journalists and researchers. of Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Specialization: Investigation on Investigations Some are freelancers; others • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga Project (OCCRP) economic issues via Chisinau are also affiliated with local or Specialization: Cross border • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad international media outlets. • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan investigations Mihai Munteanu bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week Reporter-at-large at Organized Crime and • Houses and rental businesses of Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) Moldovan priests Nicolae Cuschevici • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a Reporter RISE Moldova Specialization: Investigations on local bishop • Ministries with secret businesses Specialization: Investigative journalism organized crime subjects • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” and photo reporting • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the Dumitru Stoianov help of criminal network from Moldova Freelance reporter • Assassin in Law Vladimir Thoric Editor in chief at Russian-language newspaper Specialization: Investigations RISE Moldova in media „Panorama”, member of OCCRP • national on sports • international Specialization: Investigation on frauds Statistics from politics and economics Alina Turcanu • web Editor at Radio Free Moldova • facebook OLGA CEAGLEI Specialization: Investigative Activities planned for 2015 Reporter Centre of Investigative Journalism journalism and photo reporting RISE Moldova Projects Specialization: Investigation on Partners corruption and social subjects Annual activity report 2014 4

RISE Moldova • About • Mission Moldova and regional organized crime networks Members Moldova’s territory is frequently used by international Moldova and regional organized crime networks organized crime groups that specialize in money laundering Investigations (from Eastern and Western Europe) drug trafficking and • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau arms trafficking. This is due to the geographical position • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan of the Republic of Moldova on the border of the European bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week Union (UE) and Community of Independent States (CIS). • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests At the same time, Moldova remains attractive for • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop international criminal organizations because of the • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in existence on its territory , a separatist region masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the which does not have secure, well-delimited border. help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law Several crime organizations are active on the territory of RISE Moldova in media Moldova. They are led by “thieves in law”, among who we • national • international can count: “Makena,” “Bulgaru,” Ivan Gușan aka “Patron,” Statistics Ion Druţă aka “Pisateli,” in addition to other criminal • web • facebook authorities directly connected to the Russian mafia. Activities planned for 2015 According to police, “thieves in law” from Georgia, Russia, RISE Moldova Projects Ukraine and Lithuania frequently meet in the Republic of Partners Moldova to share and manage regional crime information. Annual activity report 2014 5

RISE Moldova • About Moldova and regional organized crime networks • Mission Members Between 2013 and 2014 we cooperated with journalists Moldova and regional organized crime networks from , Romania and Russia to uncover Investigations complex illegal business and criminal organization which • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau ordered some assassinations, including shooting of a • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan former Moldovan banker German Gorbuntsov which bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week occurred in London in early 2014. • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests Our reporters revealed an international heroin smuggling • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop network from Tajikistan, through Russia and into the • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in Republic of Moldova - story which had considerable impact. masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the In 2014 RISE Moldova along with OCCRP and help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law Novaya Gazeta developed an investigation that involves RISE Moldova in media a scheme in which $20 bln. originating in Russia, was • national • international laundered in Moldova via the judiciary and banking Statistics system. We investigated who are the beneficiaries of • web • facebook the laundered money and found links to ’s Activities planned for 2015 cousin; FSB officers; offshore companies; banks from RISE Moldova Projects Latvia, Russia and Moldova; proxy agents; politicians; Partners and several criminal authorities. Annual activity report 2014 6

RISE Moldova • About • Mission Investigations Members Moldova and regional organized „Russian Laundromat”: crime networks Moscow–Riga via Chisinau* Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau ...the biggest money laundering scheme in Eastern • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad Europe involving Vladimir Putin’s cousin, FSB officers, • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week Russian companies, offshore companies, Russian, • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests Latvian and Moldovan banks, Moldovan judges, proxy • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop agents and important figures from criminal world. >>> • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in Impact 508 masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law Conected articles: RISE Moldova in media >> RISE Moldova reporter insulted by proxy agent • national >> Platon's relations with Moldindconbank • international >> "Phantom" accounts at Moldindconbank held by Russian banker Statistics >> Kempinski negotiating oil businesses with Aleksandr Grigoriev • web • facebook >> Trasta Komercbanka - EU viza for "dirty" money coming from Rusia Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Partners * named The best investigation of 2014 by Centre of Independent Journalism of Moldova shortlisted for the 2014 European Press Prize award Annual activity report 2014 7

RISE Moldova • About Investigations • Mission Members Moldova and regional organized Vladimir Plahotniuc, crime networks monitored abroad Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau … surprising Moldovan millionaire Vladimir Plahotniuc • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad during his trip to Swiss town of Sciez along other Moldovan • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week businessmen, TV presenters, and politicians. >>> • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests Impact 7 692 • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law RISE Moldova in media • national • international Statistics • web • facebook Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Partners Annual activity report 2014 8

RISE Moldova • About Investigations • Mission Members Moldova and regional organized Kingdom of His Wealthiness crime networks Metropolitan bishop Vladimir Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga and transactions made during via Chisinau • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad the Holly Week • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week ...presents connections between Metropolitan bishop • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests Vladimir, bishop of Ciuflea Monastery, proxy agent Oleg • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop • Ministries with secret businesses Popov, and president of Porsche Moldova club. >>> • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” Impact 2 282 • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law Conected articles: RISE Moldova in media >> PhD thesis in economics sustained by Metropolitan • national • international bishop Vladimir Statistics • web • facebook Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Partners Annual activity report 2014 9

RISE Moldova • About Investigations • Mission Members Moldova and regional organized Houses and rental businesses crime networks of Moldovan priests Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau ...some luxury houses held by priests are headquarters • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad for a branch of Chinese giant ZTE Corporation, some • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week private schools and kindergartens and residence of • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests Italian ambassador in Republic of Moldova. >>> • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop Impact 5 450 • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law Bishop’s houses and lost business RISE Moldova in media of a local bishop • national • international … connections made between an Eparchy from Edineț Statistics and Briceni and controversial businessman. The story • web • facebook presents also houses of priests locate in north of Activities planned for 2015 Moldova. >>> RISE Moldova Projects Impact 2 490 Partners Annual activity report 2014 10

RISE Moldova • About Investigations • Mission Members Moldova and regional organized Ministries with secret businesses crime networks … Ministry of Construction Marcel Răducan used Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga Moldprodinvest company to hide his direct connection via Chisinau • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad with commercial centre „Budapest”, some real estates, • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made and also used this firm to found another two. Another during the Holly Week • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests heroes of the story are Ministry of Internal Affairs • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop chief Dorin Recean and Ministry of Labour and Social • Ministries with secret businesses Assistant Valentina Buliga. • State officials with business hidden in >>> masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the Impact 6 660 help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law RISE Moldova in media Conected articles: • national >> National Commission for Integrity reacts to • international RISE story: Six ministers under investigation Statistics • web • facebook Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Partners Annual activity report 2014 11

RISE Moldova • About Investigations • Mission Members Moldova and regional organized State officials with business crime networks hidden in masonic lodge „Alianța” Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau …Drug Agency director hide his business in masonic • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad lodge. At the same time some officials from • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week „CADASTRU” haven't declared their companies that • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests have a big income. >>> • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop Impact 2 721 • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law RISE Moldova in media • national • international Statistics • web • facebook Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Partners Annual activity report 2014 12

RISE Moldova • About Investigations • Mission Members Moldova and regional organized Russian arms traffic in Ukraine crime networks with the help of criminal network Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga from Moldova via Chisinau • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan ... One of the most influential criminal network at bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week the Western border of Ukraine sold arms to OCCRP • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests reporters. Transactions took place at Chisinau, 180 • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop km away of Ukrainian port from Odessa. Arms are • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in coming from 14th Russian Army which is located in masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the Transnistria. help of criminal network from Moldova >>> • Assassin in Law Impact 2 047

RISE Moldova in media 10.463* • national • international Statistics Conected articles: • web • facebook >> Criminal head called „Pisateli” („Writer”), arrested as a result of RISE Moldova investigation Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects

Partners (*dates collected on March 2nd 2015) Annual activity report 2014 13

RISE Moldova • About Investigations • Mission Members Moldova and regional organized Assassin in Law crime networks … journalistic insight to the world of killers coming Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga from ex-Soviet Union and operating around the via Chisinau • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad Europe to execute orders that involves influential • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made Russian bankers, businessmen connected to Kremlin, during the Holly Week • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests secret services, and Russian criminal authorities so- • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop called „Thief in Law” (Vor v Zakone). >>> • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in Impact 5 720 masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the 157.780* help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law RISE Moldova in media • national • international Statistics • web • facebook Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects

Partners (*dates collected on March 2nd 2015) Annual activity report 2014 14

RISE Moldova • About • Mission RISE Moldova in media Members National Moldova and regional organized crime networks The most references in 2014* to RISE Moldova were made by following media outlets operating online: Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the UNIMEDIA Europa Liberă Adevărul help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law RISE Moldova in media • national • international Statistics • web • facebook Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Panorama omega gagauzinfo

Partners * according to Google Analytics Annual activity report 2014 15

RISE Moldova • About RISE Moldova in media • Mission Members international Moldova and regional organized crime networks Bloomberg.com Eurasianet.org Investigations Bankers Targeted in $20 Billion Moldova: Money-Laundering • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga Moldovan Laundering Case Case Puts Judiciary on the Spot via Chisinau Refers to „Russian Laundromat”: Refers to „Russian Laundromat”: • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad Moscow–Riga via Chisinau Moscow–Riga via Chisinau • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week • Houses and rental businesses of Independent.co.uk Hotnews.ro Moldovan priests The great British money „Mașina rusească de spălat • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop launderette: At least 19 UK bani în Republica Moldova. • Ministries with secret businesses firms under investigation for 20 de miliarde de dolari, • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” an alleged conspiracy to make albiți într-o operațiune din • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova $20bn of dirty money seem care face parte și vărul lui • Assassin in Law legitimate Vladimir Putin” RISE Moldova in media RISE Moldova helped The Independent journalists to Refers to „Russian Laundromat”: investigate this story Moscow–Riga via Chisinau • national • international Statistics EuroNews.com Cotidianul.ro • web „Is Moldova’s mafia selling „Un văr al lui Putin, implicat • facebook weapons to Ukrainian într-o uriaşă operaţiune de Activities planned for 2015 separatists?” spălare de bani” Refers to „Russian arms traffic in Ukraine Refers to „Russian Laundromat”: RISE Moldova Projects with the help of criminal network from Moldova” Moscow–Riga via Chisinau Partners Annual activity report 2014 16

RISE Moldova • About • Mission Statistics / web Members Moldova and regional organized crime networks Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in Top 10 articles Top 5 articles masonic lodge „Alianta” by number of visualisations* by time spent on page* • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova ​1. [PHOTOS] Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad - 22.407 1. Ministries with secret businesses - 00:09:54 • Assassin in Law ​2. Ministries with secret businesses - 13.887 2. [Video] Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal RISE Moldova in media ​3. Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests - 10.361 network from Moldova - 00:09:02 3. The Russian Laundromat: Moscow – Riga via • national ​4. Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chișinău - 8.037 • international ​5. [Video] Assassin in Law - 5.547 Chișinău - 00:08:40 ​6. Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and 4. Connection / Ruslan Siloci - 00:06:09 Statistics transactions made during the Holly Week - 4.685 5. State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianța” - 00:05:31 • web • facebook 7. State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianța” - 3.141 ​8. Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop - 2.853 Activities planned for 2015 ​9. [Video] Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova - 2.142 RISE Moldova Projects ​10.​ Platon’s relationship with Moldindconbank - 1.680 ​* according to Google Analytics Partners July, 1 52.666 December, 31 Total unique visits Annual activity report 2014 17

RISE Moldova Statistics • About • Mission / facebook Members Moldova and regional organized crime networks Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law RISE Moldova in media • national • international Top 5 articole by post's impact Statistics • web 7 692 Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • facebook 6 660 Ministries with secret businesses Activities planned for 2015 5 720 [VIDEO] Assassin in Law 5 450 Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests RISE Moldova Projects 2 047 Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal 1611 network from Moldova Partners Annual activity report 2014 18

RISE Moldova • About • Mission Activities planned for 2015 Members Moldova and regional organized crime networks Investigations • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau >>> Developing >>> Regular publishing >>> Collaboration >>> Affiliation to • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan institutional investigations with investigative international bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week capacity of made on public journalists from organization of • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a organization; interest issues; other countries; investigative local bishop • Ministries with secret businesses journalism; • State officials with business hidden in masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law >>> Developing of >>> Giving logistical >>> Organizing trainings >>> Creating national RISE Moldova in media RISE Moldova web assistance to and workshops for network of • national • international page and creatin journalists who journalists, activists investigative Statistics Russian and English investigate organized and programmers; journalists. • web • facebook versions; crime and corruption; Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Partners Annual activity report 2014 19

RISE Moldova • About • Mission RISE Moldova Projects Members I. „Program on Independent Journalism” Moldova and regional organized crime networks Financier: Foundation Open Society Institute (London) Investigations Grant amount: $ 25 000 • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga Period of implementation: November 2014 – October 2015 via Chisinau • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad „Program on Independent Journalism” propose to develop and to strength institutional capacity of RISE Moldova by giving basic • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan logistical assistance. Also project contributes to editorial independence of RISE Moldova as a media institutions in Moldova.. bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in II. „Rebooting Moldovan Journalism”* masonic lodge „Alianta” Financier: United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the help of criminal network from Moldova Grant amount: $ 225 981 • Assassin in Law Period of implementation: December 2014 – April 2016 RISE Moldova in media Project proposes to relaunch qualitative journalism in Moldova by rebooting values and techniques used by reporters and editors • national • international during their duties. It also aims to increase media credibility. Project's activities are multidimensional and practical activities are Statistics held by the principle „training by doing”. Target groups are journalists, editors, media owners, activists and programmers. These • web professionals will be encouraged to work together in order to produce attractive and inovative media content. • facebook *RISE Moldova is a OCCRP sub-grantee within this project Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Partners Annual activity report 2014 20

RISE Moldova • About • Mission Partners Members RISE Moldova activates Moldova and regional organized crime networks in the Organized Crime Investigations and Corruption Reporting • „Russian Laundromat”: Moscow–Riga via Chisinau Project (OCCRP), a regional • Vladimir Plahotniuc, monitored abroad • Kingdom of His Wealthiness Metropolitan organization which gathers bishop Vladimir and transactions made during the Holly Week investigative journalism • Houses and rental businesses of Moldovan priests associations from Eastern • Bishop’s houses and lost business of a local bishop Europe. Other partnerships • Ministries with secret businesses • State officials with business hidden in include Global Investigative masonic lodge „Alianta” • Russian arms traffic in Ukraine with the Journalism Network and help of criminal network from Moldova • Assassin in Law RISE Project. RISE Moldova in media • national • international Statistics • web • facebook Activities planned for 2015 RISE Moldova Projects Partners