The Constitutional Court of Moldova ruled Monday that the pro-Russian opposition Shor party is “unconstitutional” and must be disbanded. The party, named for its leader, Ilan Shor, is known for organizing mass protests against Western influence in Moldova and institutions such as the European Union. The decision was announced after several days of proceedings with arguments presented by both sides.

In its arguments, the government emphasized the party’s several illegal financing scandals and its connection to the Kremlin. The representatives of the Shor party claimed that the motives for banning were political. Nicola Rosca, the president of the Constitutional Court, is closely affiliated with the Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS). PAS is a liberal pro-Western party founded by Maia Sandu, the incumbent president.

In 2022, the US and the UK sanctioned Shor for allegedly assisting Russia in its attempts to undermine Moldovan elections. The Moldovan government found Shor guilty in absentia for an alleged $1 billion theft from Moldovan banks in 2014 and sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Shor currently lives in exile in Israel, his country of birth.

Shor supporters took to the streets of Chisinau after Monday’s decision to criticize the government. Some singled out President Sandu, calling her “Hitler in a skirt.” Marina Tauber, vice president of the Shor party, said the decision set a “dangerous precedent.” The ruling to ban the Shor party is final under Constitutional Court rules and is ineligible for any appeal. The Ministry of Justice of Moldova has the legal right to seize any of the Shor party’s assets now that the decision has been entered into force.