Moldovan police said today that they have seized more than one million euros from around 150 pro-Russian opposition supporters who have returned from Moscow and are suspected of “participating in an illegal financing network” ahead of the presidential election.

Money of “unknown origin” intended “for the interests of a criminal group” was seized from Moldovan citizens who were searched, mainly at the airport of the capital Chisinau, according to a press release.

Previously, the participants of the rally organized in Russia announced the formation of a coalition of pro-Russian parties in Moldova ahead of the October 20 presidential elections. These are mainly supporters of fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor, who was convicted in absentia of fraud and is considered the unofficial leader of the pro-Russian opposition.

The prosecution is considering the possibility of an investigation against them for “high treason”.

With Maya Sandu in the presidency, Moldova has turned toward the West after years in the Kremlin’s sphere of influence. Sandu often accuses her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of “hybrid warfare” against her country, aimed at destabilizing this former Soviet republic that borders Ukraine.

At the same time as the presidential elections in Moldova, a referendum will be held on the country’s EU membership, as the “27” have given the green light for the start of accession negotiations.