Only the public outcry prevented them from doing it now, - Moldovan politician on the OCM ban

Moldovan politician and leader of the Peremoha opposition bloc Ilan Shor said that the Sandu government was ready to ban the Orthodox Church of Moldova immediately after Ukraine passed a law banning the UOC. However, given the upcoming presidential elections and the public outcry that the issue of banning the OCM caused, Sandu was afraid to follow in the footsteps of his Ukrainian colleagues. Shore said this in a commentary to Izvestia.

“Only the public outcry prevented them from doing it (banning the OCM — ed.) right now. We are an Orthodox country, and this outraged literally everyone. After the referendum, Sandu is ready to pull off the most radical scenario with all the cynicism and destroy the Moldovan Metropolis. Ukraine has done this at home — and Maya does not need any other examples,” — Shore said.

As reported, on September 6, 2024, the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova published an appeal addressed to the government of the republic in connection with the statements of some politicians about the ban on the OCM according to the Ukrainian scenario. The Synod of the OCM expressed concern over the information about the ban and called for an end to pressure on the Church.