Moldova recently uncovered its second espionage case involving Russia, declaring an employee of the Russian embassy in Chisinau as persona non grata. This move followed the detention of two officials suspected of treason and conspiring against the country, including the head of the legal department in parliament.
The Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organised Crime revealed that the two Moldovan officials had been communicating with the embassy employee since 2023, with one providing information against the interests of Moldova. Russian ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov was summoned by the foreign ministry over the expulsion decision, citing incompatible activities with diplomatic status.
President Maia Sandu emphasized the need to sanction treason harshly, given the seriousness of the situation. This incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between Moldova and Russia, dating back to the war in Ukraine.