The words on the police car window read: “Nu te juca cu votul, că vei pierde totul.”

The message isn’t about phone theft or shoplifting. It’s an election warning.

“Don’t play with your vote, or you’ll lose everything.”

Here in Moldova ahead of parliamentary elections this Sunday, Russia is accused of major interference, pumping millions of euros into the country in an attempt to destabilise a fragile, young democracy that neighbours Ukraine . The government here, backed up by the West, including Britain, say that the Kremlin is paying people to vote, to protest and to spread misinformation online. Raids took place this week, with 74 people arrested, accused of being trained by Russia to stage riots before and after the election.

Before the vote on September 28, both President Maia

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