Russian special services tied to Moldova destabilization; 70 detained after 250 searches
More than 70 individuals were detained for 72 hours following a large-scale operation conducted on Monday morning throughout the Republic of Moldova. Law enforcement officers executed over 250 searches targeting 111 people, including some who are currently in prison. This criminal case, which was initiated in July of this year, relates to the preparation of mass disturbances and destabilization efforts coordinated from outside the country, aiming to disrupt the upcoming election on September 28.
According to investigators, some of the individuals targeted participated in training in Serbia, where they were trained in street violence tactics, under the supervision of foreign instructors affiliated with the Russian secret services.
"The training had a tactical purpose - preparing for destabilisation and causing mass disorder, in connection with the current election, under the supervision of foreign instructors. As a rule, each person benefited from participating in these trainings, from a remuneration of approximately 400 euros. The topics that formed the basis of the trainings were: tactics for breaking up the cordons of the force structures and dispersing the masses, resisting the law enforcement agencies, handling special means, i.e. rubber batons, methods of dodging and applying handcuffs to law enforcement officers. Some trainings aimed at handling firearms and other special equipment", declared the chief prosecutor of the PCCOCS, Victor Furtună, on Monday, September 22, in a briefing.
Party members trained in Serbia to destabilize the Republic of Moldova
The head of the General Inspectorate of Police (IGP), Viorel Cernăuțeanu, added that law enforcement officers found, following verifications, that among the persons targeted by the searches are also members of political parties. He emphasized that these connections were established during the investigations.
“When the criminal investigation was initiated by the department of disorders and destabilizations, the purpose was not pursued or political elements were not in sight, as interpreted. The intention and organization of these persons to go to Serbia to prepare for criminal elements was documented. Later, within the framework of special investigative measures, their affiliation with some political parties or criminal groups, whether they are from within the Republic of Moldova or guided from abroad,” Cernăuțeanu declared.
The head of the IGP said that some of the participants initially did not know the true reason for their trip to Serbia, but were later convinced and trained to accept the role in the destabilization actions.
"I reiterate that all these elements were prepared in the context of possible protests, where they were supposed to have the role of provocation, destabilization and other subsequent actions. We do not restrict the right of citizens to express their point of view, but we must be very careful and not allow these criminal elements to interfere in the democracy of the Republic of Moldova", the head of the IGP pointed out.
GRU agent, subversive actions on the territory of the Republic of Moldova
The Director of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), Alexandru Musteața, confirmed at the same press conference the direct involvement of Russian special services in these plans. According to the SIS, behind the coordination in Serbia is a person who presented himself as a representative of Russian special services, using the name "Bes", an identity that remains to be established.
At the same time, another agent – Pavlov Andrei Vladimirovich, an officer of the General Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (GRU), would have coordinated groups in the Republic of Moldova.
“He is suspected of planning and organizing on the territory of the Republic of Moldova some subversive acts financed from the Russian Federation, using in parallel the network of the "Shor" group to identify and recruit several people. In Telegram groups associated with the “Șor” group, it was known under the names “Field 007” and “Field 01””, Musteața said.
The SIS director added that the same individuals identified as exponents of the Russian special services have also organized subversive activities in other countries in the European Union, as well as in Asia and Africa.
“The service continues to collect information on this subject and this will be quickly provided to law enforcement agencies, to prevent any risk to national security”, the SIS chief assured.
Law enforcement officials said that, following the searches on September 22, mobile phones, SIM cards, bank cards issued by financial institutions in the country and abroad, passports, weapons and ammunition, camouflage equipment and significant amounts of money were seized. Tents prepared for possible street actions were also discovered.
