Dorin Recean: Arrest of ex-SIS deputy Bălan aims to curb Russian influence in Moldova and EU
The recent arrest of Alexandru Bălan, the former deputy head of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) of the Republic of Moldova, is part of a coordinated effort among European countries to prevent any interference from the Russian Federation in the elections and internal affairs of Moldova and other European Union member states. Prime Minister Dorin Recean made this statement to journalists on September 11, following a press conference. Bălan is currently being held in preventive detention for 30 days in Romania.
“The Russian Federation is acting not only in the Republic of Moldova, but also in other European states, especially in the member states of the European Union, to destabilize the situation. And here we see a joint effort of the countries to cleanse the relevant institutions of the harmful and traitorous elements of the Russian Federation”, declared the Head of the Executive.
Asked also about the expulsion of a Belarusian diplomat from the Republic of Moldova, the Prime Minister added that the institutions will provide more details later: “At the appropriate time, the institutions will communicate more details. But, as I said, it is an element that has happened before, when the Republic of Moldova sent home those who wish harm to Moldovans”.
Alexandru Bălan was detained on September 8 in Romania and questioned by Romanian prosecutors. He is accused of having disclosed secret state information related to Romania to KGB officers in Belarus.
Also on Tuesday, the Czech Republic and Poland announced that they had expelled two Belarusian agents, including a diplomat, who were allegedly part of a large intelligence network created by Belarus in Europe.
Foreign media wrote that the former deputy director of the SIS in Chisinau was also part of this network.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday, September 10, that an employee of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Chisinau was declared persona non grata on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
For now, the reasons behind this decision are not known. We also requested a comment from the Belarusian diplomatic mission accredited in Chisinau. Embassy officials told us that it was not within their competence to comment on the situation.
