Moldova Expels Russian Diplomat Over Espionage Case

Moldova announced today that it has expelled a diplomat from the Russian embassy after a new espionage case was uncovered involving two Moldovan officials who were arrested yesterday on charges of "treason and conspiracy". The Moldovan Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the diplomat had been declared "persona non grata" for "activities incompatible with his status," and summoned Russian Ambassador Oleg Vasnetsov to inform him of the decision, noting that the officials were accused of "collecting and transmitting sensitive information" to the diplomat since 2023 and "maintaining contact with him." Moldova, located between Ukraine and Romania, has taken a pro-European stance under President Maia Sandu, who often asserts that she is the victim of Russian attempts to destabilize it, especially as the presidential election, scheduled for October 20, approaches, coinciding with a referendum on EU membership. Since the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Moldova has significantly reduced Rus sian diplomatic activity on its territory, and last summer expelled 45 people working in Russian diplomatic missions. Source: Qatar News Agency