Russia to retaliate against diplomat's expulsion from Moldova - ambassador
CHISINAU. Aug 1 (Interfax) - The decision on expulsion of a Russian diplomat from Moldova was made before the investigation into possible espionage was completed, Russian Ambassador to Moldova Oleg Vasnetsov said, and described Chisinau's actions as "unfriendly."
"The conduct of the Moldovan Foreign Ministry, which has decided to expel an employee of the Russian embassy, aims to dismantle bilateral relations with Moscow. [...] It's hard to comment on this decision. The situation unfolding around Russia in recent months raises numerous questions," Vasnetsov told reporters on Thursday after visiting the Moldovan Foreign Ministry, which presented him with a note declaring a diplomat of the Russian embassy in Chisinau persona non-grata.
"It was decided to expel the diplomat before the investigation into the alleged espionage case was finalized," he said.
"Russia will obviously take retaliatory measures," Vasnetsov said.
"Russia always finds an appropriate answer. Naturally, there will be a response, we will wait and see what decision the leadership chooses to make. In any case, this contravenes the spirit of normal cooperation and mutual understanding we urge the Moldovan administration to maintain," he said.
"Two thirds of Russian embassy employees were expelled from Moldova a year ago under a far-fetched pretext. There was no evidence to support the accusations and subsequent expulsions. [...] We deem such actions to be unfriendly and at odds with the development of bilateral relations," Vasnetsov said.
Earlier on Thursday, the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration declared a diplomat of the Russian embassy in Chisinau persona non grata.
Head of the Moldovan Parliament's Legal Department Ion Creanga and a Chisinau airport border guard were detained for 72 hours on July 30 in connection with a criminal case, the press service for the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) said. PCCOCS prosecutors and officers of Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service searched the parliament's Legal Department in the morning of July 31.
Moldovan security services believe that Creanga met with an employee of the Russian embassy in Chisinau and traded information for remuneration. He is under investigation on counts of treason.
The unnamed border guard is suspected of "plotting against Moldova." Both officials met and shared information with a Russian deputy military attache in Moldova, the security services said.
