The investigation into one of the criminal cases commenced over treason and espionage against a group of persons involved in the organization of “harmful activities against the security of the Republic of Moldova and its citizens” was completed and the case was sent to court. A Moldovan citizen was arrested on charges of treason and also of considerable swindle. Three more persons were indicted - Russian citizens Iurie G. and Vadim I. and a Moldovan citizen who is wanted, director of the Security and Intelligence Service Alexandru Musteața told a news conference, IPN reports.
The SIS director noted that starting with 2021, Russian citizens Iurie G. and Vadim I, under the direction and coordination of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia, had identified and recruited Moldovans, building a network of agents in Moldova. The goal of the network was to influence the sociopolitical processes in Moldova in the interests of Russia and to maintain Moldova’s dependence on the Russian Federation. There were also conducted information operations to model public opinion.
“Over the two years during which the work of the network of agents has been investigated, these agents collected sociopolitical data and information, especially about legislative intentions and plans, discrediting information referring to political leaders and political actors and implemented secret information projects, such as campaigns in the virtual space through a number of social media platforms, with major emphasis on the Telegram network through which the largest part of the false information was disseminated,” stated Alexandru Musteața.
He noted that after February 24, 2022, the given grouping committed offenses under a foreign flag and recruited citizens for the purpose of participating or of causing violent acts. There was also documented the creation of channels to transmit money from Russia to Moldova for staging subversive actions against state interests and security.
“In this regard, one of the agents recruited by Iurie G. and Vadim I. had the task of identifying and ensuring such financial channels, of providing logistical support in the commissioned projects financed by the FSB and of recruiting citizens of the Republic of Moldova. Among the used money transfer channels were crytocurrency transfer systems and the so-called Hawala system. Currency exchange facilities were involved in the liquefying process. About US$500,000 was transferred in total since 2021 from the Russian Federation to Moldova through these tenebrous channels alone. The money was used to carry out illegal activities,” explained the SIS director.
Alexandru Musteața noted that the given Moldovan citizen was recruited as an agent in 2021. He faces 12 to 30 years in jail for treason. He was also accused of swindle in considerable amounts. The investigation goes on.
