Moldova president warns of Russian plan to violently overthrow pro-European leadership
Date
2/15/2023 3:13:27 AM
(MENAFN) Moldova's President, Maia Sandu, has issued a warning that Russia is plotting to topple the pro-European leadership of the country with the aid of saboteurs who will pose as anti-government protesters. The plan involves using "saboteurs with military background, camouflaged in civilian clothes" to carry out violent actions, attack state institutions and take hostages, under the guise of protests by the opposition. The aim is to "overthrow the constitutional order and replace the legitimate power of Chisinau with an illegitimate one", according to Ms Sandu.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated that Kyiv had already intercepted the plan for Moldova's destruction by Russian intelligence. Moldova, a country of 2.6 million people and neighbouring Romania and Ukraine, recently received EU candidate status. However, the country has been facing anti-government protests over the past year, organised by a fugitive oligarch named Ilan Shor.
Ms Sandu warned that Moscow will use internal forces, such as those controlled by Mr Shor, as well as foreign citizens from Russia, Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro to carry out its plans. She called on Moldova's Parliament to adopt laws that would empower the country's intelligence and security service and prosecutors to fight national security threats more effectively.
Ms Sandu is confident that the "Kremlin's attempts to bring violence to our country will fail". However, it is crucial for the Moldovan leadership to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to safeguard the country's constitutional order and protect its citizens from violence and instability.
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