The pro-European president of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, accused Russia on Wednesday of “buying” voters in this weekend’s local elections by funneling money to pro-Moscow political parties, Reuters reported.

Sandu, who condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and accused Russia of trying to oust it through a coup d’état, said Moscow had funneled the equivalent of nearly $5 million over two months to fund “criminal groups.” Among them is the banned party led by fugitive businessman Ilan Shor.

She called on voters to support her allies at the polls on Sunday to show support for her vision of Moldova’s transition to Europe and joining the European Union.

“Russia used to buy those people who ruled Moldova,” Sandu said in an interview with Jurnal TV, referring to corruption scandals in the former Soviet state ahead of the 2020 elections.

“He no longer has this opportunity. Now they are buying Moldovan citizens. The Kremlin uses different categories of people… There are people who work for the Kremlin and go to Moscow for money,” she said.

Sandu appealed to law enforcement agencies to take measures to punish the guilty.

Russian officials could not be reached for comment on Sandu’s allegations.

On Sunday, Moldovans vote in an election that is considered a barometer of Sandu’s pro-European campaign. Tens of thousands of people held an open-air rally in Chisinau in support of her policies in May, but support is less certain in smaller cities and rural areas.

“It is important that everyone go to the polls and vote for those candidates who will continue Moldova’s pro-European policy and will not create obstacles on this path,” said Sandu.

Moldova blocked access to the main Russian news sites on the eve of the elections.

Moscow condemned the measure as an attempt to deprive Moldovans of access to alternative views and accused the president of stoking anti-Russian sentiment.

Shor, jailed in absentia earlier this year for his part in a $1 billion corruption scandal, has mocked Sandu’s pro-European campaign and staged exile demonstrations in Israel calling for her government to resign.

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova declared his party illegal, and several of his candidates were banned from running.