Crisis Escalates in Moldova: 3 Russian Diplomats Deported
A diplomatic crisis has erupted between Moldova and Russia. The Moldovan government accused Russia’s Chisinau embassy of facilitating the escape of pro-Russian Member of Parliament Alexandr Nesterovschi to prevent his imprisonment for illegal political financing. The government announced yesterday that it had deported three Russian diplomats accused of organizing the MP’s escape.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu stated, “Russia’s interference in the judicial system of the Republic of Moldova is unacceptable. Just think of the Republic of Moldova interfering in the justice system of the Russian Federation.”
Russian Ambassador to Chisinau Oleg Ozerov claimed that the accusations of interference in internal affairs were baseless and unfounded. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that there would be reciprocity for Moscow’s deportation decision.
LAST SEEN AT THE EMBASSY
The Security and Intelligence Service released a video yesterday showing Nesterovschi entering the Russian embassy in Chisinau on March 18, a day before the judiciary sentenced him to 12 years in absentia. The service stated that Nesterovschi was transported to the pro-Russian separatist Transnistria region in a diplomatic-plated vehicle of the embassy and was placed under direct protection of Russian special services.
In 2023, Nesterovschi was found guilty of illegally financing a pro-Russian party during national referendums on the 2024 presidential election, local elections, and Moldova’s membership in the European Union. He denied the charges, claiming they were politically motivated.
Moldovan officials accuse Russia of trying to destabilize the country by meddling in its official institutions and elections. Moscow denies the allegations.
The head of the Gagauzia Autonomous Region, known for its pro-Russian policies and part of Moldova, Yevgeniya Gutsul, was detained at Chisinau International Airport on March 22 on charges of illegal political financing. Gutsul, ordered to be held in custody for at least 30 days, rejected the charges as politically motivated and sought help from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and US President Donald Trump.
