Charlie Hebdo has once again found itself targeted by pro-Russian actors who are using its image to attack the LGBT movement in Moldova. The actors posted an image on Telegram and other social media platforms, claiming that “Moldova has chosen a new religion.” This image depicts individuals at Moldova’s pride march, carrying the LGBT rainbow and Moldovan flags, chasing away an Orthodox priest. However, the information contained in the image is based on disinformation.
The fake front cover includes the edition number 1716 and a publication date of 10 June. However, a search on Charlie Hebdo’s official website reveals that the magazine did not actually publish an issue on that date. The closest publishing date is 11 June, and its front cover is completely different from the one being shared online. The real issue does not address Moldova’s pride celebrations but, rather, mocks France’s interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, for his stance on the fishing industry.
Moldova’s pride march took place on 15 June and was subject to false reports. One Spanish-language report falsely claimed that counter-protesters against “LGBT propaganda” were met with police brutality. However, EUvsDisinfo reported that pro-Russian actors harassed the pride march, and police were firm but fair in keeping them apart.
EUvsDisinfo, an anti-disinformation task force, stated that this disinformation aims to appeal to homophobic views among the audience, falsely framing local pro-LGBT activities as an EU imposition against “national” or “Christian” values. They also mentioned that exploiting homophobia is a well-established pro-Kremlin disinformation technique.
Charlie Hebdo has become so targeted by pro-Russian actors with fake front covers that the magazine has a statement on its website about these actors using its likeness to spread propaganda. EuroVerify has previously debunked other false issues of Charlie Hebdo, most of which focused on Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukraine and Moldova are commonly targeted by pro-Russian propaganda. The goal of these actions seems to be to damage public opinion of Zelenskyy and Western support for Ukraine, as well as derail Moldova’s goals of developing closer ties with the rest of Europe and joining the EU.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/03/fake-charlie-hebdo-cover-attacking-moldova-pride-circulates-online
