The former president of Moldova, Igor Dodon, was arrested after a raid on his home and a string of other private addresses, writes Euronews.

The 47-year-old is the current leader of Moldova’s main opposition bloc, the pro-Kremlin Socialist Party, and led the country from 2016 to 2020.

According to the Moldovan judiciary Dodon is under is under investigation for alleged corruption, treason, illicit enrichment, and “illegal party financing”.

Prosecutors said in a statement that a total of 10 buildings and 3 cars were searched as part of the warrant and “large amounts” of money and luxury items had been seized: “During the searches one of the persons tried to swallow and destroy documents found at his home, which confirmed the sale-purchase transactions of real estate worth about EUR 700,000”.

Dodon will be held for up to 72 hours. Several police officers could be seen standing guard at the gate of the politician’s house on Tuesday while a number of Dodon’s supporters gathered in the street to protest.