Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service (SIS) announced the detention of a Russian citizen identified as an officer of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) upon his arrival in the country. Authorities allege that he entered Moldova to collect information about the Security Zone along the Transnistrian segment.
According to SIS, the suspect attempted to enter Moldova under a pre-arranged cover story, claiming he was visiting the country as a tourist and planned to tour several monasteries. However, investigators say his actual destination was the Transnistrian region.
“The accused officer attempted to enter Moldova using a legend prepared in advance, declaring a tourist purpose, including visits to monasteries. In reality, his final destination was the region on the left bank of the Nistru River,” SIS said in a statement.
The agency stated that the suspect’s objective was to gather data and information that could be stored or used against Moldova’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, state security, or defense capabilities.
SIS also reported that the man had previously been present in Moldova between September 2017 and September 2019. During that period, the agency alleges, he coordinated activities directed against the country’s security, independence, and territorial integrity.
At the request of the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS), a court placed the suspect in pre-trial detention for 30 days while the investigation continues.