Five citizens of Moldova are investigated for involvement in treason and espionage, together with citizens of another state. According to the Security and Intelligence Service, two persons were arrested last December, while the other three were classed as suspects, IPN reports.
The SIS said the Moldovans were co-opted by representatives of the intelligence services of a third state to assist them. Such a role in the Criminal Code is described as hostile activity against the Republic of Moldova, inclining actions to destabilize and to change the constitutional order in the state by use of violence. Treason is punished with 12 to 20 years in jail.
Citizens of another state are investigated for espionage. They conducted and financed the subversive activities of persons from Moldova. Under the Criminal Code, espionage carries punishment in the form of 12 to 20 years behind bars.
The actions have been investigated since 2020. These include the facilitation of money transfers, inciting of interethnic hatred, animation of destabilizing spirits and intolerance towards particular categories of citizens, including the recruitment of persons for taking part in protest rallies that can degenerate into use of violence in the interests of another state.
