A suspected FSB agent was detained in Moldova

Moldovan law enforcement authorities detained a Russian citizen at the country’s border, who was identified as an FSB officer and is suspected of conducting intelligence activities. 

The man is accused of unauthorized collection of information about the security zone in the Transnistria region. 

The detention was carried out based on intelligence from the special services under the direction of the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Especially Important Cases, which has already secured a 30-day detention order for the suspect in court. The Russian officer attempted to cross the border under a prearranged cover story, citing a tourist purpose for his visit and his intention to visit local monasteries, although his actual destination was the left bank of the Dniester. The purpose of his mission was to gather information to be used against the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security of Moldova. 

Security service agents determined that this foreign national had already been in the country from September 2017 to September 2019, carrying out subversive activities against the republic’s security. At that time, the suspect used a diplomatic passport issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs but, in violation of the Vienna Convention, did not undergo the official accreditation procedure with the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A criminal investigation into the detainee is currently underway.

This was reported by European Truth.

The processes of Moldova’s accession to the European Union and the return of the Transnistria region to Chisinau’s control must take place simultaneously so that the Russian Federation cannot block the country’s progress toward the EU. This was stated by Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi.

Sandu called on the EU to immediately open all negotiation chapters for Moldova.

The EU responded by stating that Ukraine and Moldova would join simultaneously.