ARCHIVE – The flag of the Republic of Moldova. Photo: Christophe Gateau/dpa
Keystone
The Republic of Moldova has declared three employees of the Russian embassy to be undesirable persons. The authorities’ decision is based on obvious evidence of activities that contradict diplomatic status, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The diplomats are therefore to leave the country, which is an EU accession candidate and lies between EU member Romania and Ukraine.
The republic’s secret service had previously made serious accusations. According to the allegations, the Russian embassy and Russian secret services helped Moldovan MP Alexandr Nesterovschi to flee to the breakaway region of Transnistria. He allegedly went to the Russian embassy and from there was taken to the breakaway Transnistria in a vehicle with diplomatic license plates.
Nesterovschi was sentenced to twelve years in prison last week. According to media reports, the charges included corruption.
Moscow rejects accusations
The Russian embassy in Chisinau described the accusations as unfounded and unacceptable. The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, announced an “appropriate and tough response from the Russian side”.