AI-manipulated video targets Moldovan minister Alaiba in election disinformation
A video purportedly showing Moldova's Economic Development Minister Dumitru Alaiba in a compromising situation circulated online in October 2024. Alaiba alleged it was a fabrication released as part of Russian election disinformation, but no official finding has been made about the video's authenticity or origin.
What happened
A video circulated online in October 2024 purporting to show Dumitru Alaiba, Moldova's Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization, in a sauna with multiple women and alcohol. The video featured a man with facial features resembling Alaiba.
Alaiba stated the video was a poorly made fabrication and alleged it was released strategically to distract from news coverage of a Kremlin-backed presidential candidate holding Romanian citizenship. He characterized it as part of Russian disinformation efforts ahead of Moldova's presidential election and constitutional referendum.
Reported impact
The video appeared in Moldovan online spaces and social media during the presidential election and referendum campaign period in October 2024.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.