Parliament’s National Security Commission has today heard former and current heads of government agencies on the extradition of seven Turkish citizens last September.

Those heard included the former director of the Security and Intelligence Service, Vasile Botnari, former deputy directors Alexandru Balan and Alexandru Baltaga, and Olga Poalelungi, director of the Migration and Asylum Bureau. Commission chairman Chiril Moţpan told reporters that it was a difficult hearing and that the MPs were unable to get answers to all the questions they asked.

According to Chiril Moţpan, the MPs wanted to find out how the extradition process took place and what the reasons were. At the same time, they wanted to know who exactly gave the orders for the Turkish citizens to be declared undesirable. "We have learned many important and necessary things. The discussion was difficult, we wanted it more sincere, more constructive from the colleagues we invited to hear", said Chiril Moţpan.

The lawmaker also said that discussions will take place within the Commission to decide what conclusions should be put in the final report. In the opinion of Chiril Moţpan, the Turkish citizens were removed from the Republic of Moldova in violation of legal procedures.

According to the press, four of the seven Turkish teachers expelled last year on Ankara's request have already been convicted. Recently, one received seven and a half years in prison on terrorism charges.

On June 11, 2019, the ECHR ruled that by deporting the seven Turckish citizens the Republic of Moldova violated their rights.