DOC // Citizenship of Moldova withdrawn for officials of unconstitutional structures of Tiraspol, for persons who fought in 1992 on side of breakaway forces

President Maia Sandu today signed a decree withdrawing the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova in the case of nine individuals.

The decree targets persons who have held and continue to hold various positions within the so‑called unconstitutional entities on the left bank of Dniester. At the same time, two of those concerned fought on the side of the separatists in the 1992 Transnistria War.

The procedure for withdrawing citizenship was initiated by the Public Services Agency (ASP), at the request of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), based on the finding that there were legal grounds for the withdrawal of Moldovan citizenship – the committing of particularly serious acts that harm the interests of  Moldova.

The presidential advisor for national security, Stanislav Secrieru, specified: “The withdrawal of the citizenship of Moldova is a form of sanction for holding positions within the unconstitutional structures on the left bank of the Dniester, for ongoing actions that undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, as well as for serious infringements of the rights of the citizens of Moldova. These acts were committed in the interest of a foreign state that violates the neutrality of our country and is waging a war of aggression against the neighboring state Ukraine. The withdrawal of citizenship is a measure provided by law, applied in cases where the fundamental interests of Moldova are affected.”

The Presidency underlines that respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the state represents fundamental principles that cannot be violated. The authorities will continue to act firmly, in strict accordance with the law, in order to protect the constitutional order and the national interest.