The FSB, Russia’s security service, announced on Thursday that they had detained a man who is accused of collecting information for Moldova’s intelligence agency.
The individual, referred to only as a Russian national, traveled to Moscow in December to execute a mission that the FSB claims posed a threat to Russia’s national security on behalf of the Intelligence and Security Service of Moldova (SIS).
In a video disseminated by state media, an FSB representative indicated that the SIS had tasked the man with “gathering and disseminating information regarding the activities of opposition parties and activists, their funding sources, and the personal details of FSB personnel.”
The FSB officer further noted that the accused frequently visited Russia, where he met with government officials and agency staff. His presumed superior was identified as Mihail Petrescu, an SIS officer.
The FSB reported that the detained Russian was cooperating with investigators. In a video from the agency, he claimed he had been “coerced” into periodically collaborating with Moldova’s SIS.
He faces charges of secretly engaging with a foreign government and has been placed in pre-trial detention. This offense could result in a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.
In response, Moldova’s SIS dismissed the allegations from the FSB.
“Such claims are an attempt to manipulate public sentiment and heighten tensions within the region,” the spy agency stated.
Similarly, Moldovan President Maia Sandu labeled the accusations as unfounded.
“It is unfortunate that there are instances where our citizens are detained and imprisoned without any legitimate reasons provided by Moscow,” she expressed at a press conference.
Ties between Moscow and Chisinau have sharply declined since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which borders Moldova.
Moldova has consistently accused Russia of efforts to undermine its stability, while the Kremlin has rejected these claims and accused Chisinau of intentionally obstructing diplomatic relations.
Reporting by AFP contributed to this story.
