A shareholder and director of presidential hopeful Gareth Sheridan’s biotech company owns a weapons factory whose attempt to take over another company is being investigated by Romanian authorities over national security concerns and links to Russia.
Moldovan-born Sergei Glinka, linked to Russian oligarchs and the state, caused controversy when it emerged that one of his companies had signed a deal to supply armoured vehicles to EU member Romania.
The Ditch reported yesterday that Sheridan’s company paid an Israeli hospital that trains Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers $50,000 as part of a medical technology deal.
National security concerns
Sergei Glinka, formerly known as Sergey Mikhailovich Glinka, is a seven percent shareholder in Sheridan’s Nutriband and was appointed to the board of directors last year.
Glinka has controlled almost half of the Romanian company Automecanica Medias since 2022.
This stake – as well as Glinka’s ties to Russia – came under scrutiny earlier this year after it was revealed the company had been awarded a contract to make parts for 800 armoured vehicles ordered by the Romanian army.
The Romanian authorities are also investigating his 2024 deal to buy another company over national security concerns.
"The transaction… is under examination, from a national security point of view… The operation is currently in a detailed investigation procedure, a procedure in which the opinion of the Supreme Council for National Defence (CSAT) will also be requested,” said a spokesperson for the Romanian Competition Council in February this year.
Separately, from 2004 to 2016, Glinka was a shareholder and director of Transmashholding.
It’s a Russian locomotive company sanctioned by the US authorities since September 2023 for profiting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Sheridan has been contacted for comment.
