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An unknown individual, posing as a Moldovan journalist and using a forged press card, first contacted the office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and later former political prisoner Antanina Kanavalava. Details were reported by Moldovan outlet RISE Moldova.
The attempted provocation lasted for more than two months and was uncovered in early June.
In March 2026, an anonymous individual using the name “Gheorghe” contacted Tsikhanouskaya’s press secretary via Telegram, introducing himself as a journalist from Moldova and saying he was interested in diaspora communities. He said he would like to speak with the Moldovan diaspora in Poland and possibly with Belarusians living there.
“Gheorghe” also said he was trying to “compare how Belarusians and Moldovans perceive the choice between East and West.” Among the topics he mentioned were reasons for migration, relations between diaspora communities, joint projects and personal stories.
Through Tsikhanouskaya’s Office, “Gheorghe” obtained the contact details of former political prisoner Antanina Kanavalava. A representative of the office warned Kanavalava that she did not personally know the “journalist” and advised her to be cautious.
On April 25, “Gheorghe” contacted Kanavalava, introducing himself as a Moldovan journalist. However, he used the Russian-language name “Moldavia” instead of the country’s official name, Moldova. Kanavalava asked him to provide examples of his journalistic work and a press card.
The “journalist” sent a photograph of a press card issued in the name of Vladimir Tkhorik, editor of Rise Moldova.
On June 6, Kanavalava contacted Thorik through the outlet’s editorial email address. She wanted to verify whether he was the person with whom she had been communicating on Telegram. He said the press card was forged.
The identity of the person who used Vladimir Thorik’s name and the forged RISE Moldova press card could not be established. The editorial team does not know who created the image of the press card, for what reasons, or for what purpose it was used in Telegram correspondence.