Network involved in acts of treason and espionage broken up by law enforcement bodies

Chisinau, July 10. /MOLDPRES/- The Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) and the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) sent to the court one of the criminal cases on crimes of treason and espionage regarding a group of people involved in organizing "hostile" activities against the security of the Republic of Moldova and citizens". SIS director Alexandru Musteata made the statement today.

According to Musteata, since 2020 "two citizens of the Russian Federation identified and recruited Moldovan citizens, thus building an agency network on the territory of our country". "The activity of Russian citizens and the agency network was oriented towards influencing the social-political processes of Moldova, in the interest of the Russian Federation, towards maintaining our country's dependence on Russia. They also carried out informational operations to shape public opinion", said Musteata.

The official said "during the two years of investigating the network, the people collected social and political data and information, especially about legislative intentions and plans, compromising information about political leaders and actors, and organized information projects underground, such as campaigns in the virtual environment, through several social media platforms, with a major focus on the Telegram network".

"After February 24, 2022, the group committed crimes under a foreign flag and recruited foreign nationals for the purpose of participating in or inciting violent acts. The activity of creating channels for the transfer of financial means from the Russian Federation to the Republic of Moldova to finance subversive operations against the interests and security of the state was also investigated. In 2021, the amount of 500 thousand dollars was transferred from the Russian Federation to Moldova, only through these underground channels, money used in the implementation of the illegal activity", Musteata said.

Currently one of the recruited agents, a Moldovan citizen is in custody and accused of treason, being liable to imprisonment for a term of 12 to 20 years. 

"The criminal investigation is ongoing. Currently, there are three people under accusation, including two citizens of the Russian Federation and a citizen of Moldova, who is wanted," Musteata said.