Moldova denies entry to former Transnistrian official Ruslan Mova
Moldovan border authorities have denied entry to Ruslan Mova, the former head of the internal affairs department in the breakaway Transnistria region. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at the Chisinau International Airport following a flight from Istanbul.
The move comes after President Maia Sandu revoked Mova’s Moldovan citizenship in late February. Mova, who led the separatist security apparatus between 2016 and 2021, was reportedly identified as a Ukrainian citizen with residency in Ukraine.
Security and legal context
While Moldovan government and border officials declined to comment on specific details citing privacy laws, sources within the Border Police confirmed the entry ban. The presidency previously stripped Mova and eight others of their citizenship for holding positions in separatist structures or acting against national interests.
Mova has held significant roles within the Tiraspol security forces since 1992. His career is marked by numerous decorations from both the secessionist regime and Moscow. International human rights groups have previously linked his name to reports of abuses and kidnappings targeting critics of the separatist administration.
Pending legal challenges
Mova has shared copies of his entry refusal document with several local media outlets. He is currently challenging the revocation of his citizenship in court, with the first hearing scheduled for September.
The Transnistrian region remains internationally unrecognised, and Moldova has recently intensified legal measures against individuals involved in its separatist governance.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
