Moldova issues strong protest to Russia over election interference claims

Moldova’s Foreign Ministry has handed a formal protest note to Ambassador of the Russian Federation Oleg Ozerov in response to allegations made by Chisinau regarding Russia's alleged interference in the country's presidential election.

"The foreign ministry delivered a note of strong protest against the illegal and deliberate interference of the Russian Federation in Moldova’s electoral process, aimed at distorting the results of the presidential election and the constitutional republican referendum, undermining and delegitimising the democratic process in the Republic of Moldova, during a meeting with Russian ambassador in the Republic of Moldova Oleg Ozerov," the ministry said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Earlier, Ozerov stated that he arrived at the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Moldova for a scheduled visit, and was not summoned by the ministry. On November 3, Moldova held the second round of its presidential election. According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), incumbent President Maia Sandu won with 55.33 per cent of the vote, while her opponent, former Prosecutor General Alexandru Stoianoglo, received 44.67 per cent.

However, in polling stations within Moldova, Stoianoglo emerged victorious with 51 per cent of the vote after the final tally. Moldova's National Security Adviser, Stanislav Secureru, has made accusations against Moscow, alleging that Russia interfered in the second round of the presidential election.

By Naila Huseynova