Moldova expels Russian diplomat amid rising tensions over alleged treason

The Moldovan Foreign Ministry declared an assistant to the military attache of the Russian embassy persona non grata following reports that two Moldovan officials had been charged with treason.

Russian ambassador to Moldova Oleg Vasnetsov confirmed that the diplomat must leave Moldova within a set deadline, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Vasnetsov accused Moldova of actions aimed at dismantling relations with Russia, recalling a similar incident a year ago when 45 Russian embassy staffers were expelled over alleged spying and interference.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has warned that Moldova's actions will not go unanswered.

The tensions arose after Moldovan authorities detained a parliamentary employee and a border police officer on suspicion of treason, accused of passing information to a foreign embassy. Although the prosecutor's office did not specify the country or the officials involved, local media suggested that Ion Creanga, the head of the parliament's legal department, was among the detainees.