Russian colonel expelled from Moldova

Chisinau, 12 October /MOLDPRES/ - The Moldovan authorities on 11 October detained and expelled, at the Chisinau International Airport, a Russian colonel who fought against Moldova on the side of the Transnistrian separatists in 1992. It is about Radislav Sabirov, who was banned from entering Moldova during 15 years, according to the so-called foreign ministry of the breakaway Transnistrian republic, cited by MOLDPRES.        

The same source noted that Sabirov had paid a private visit to Tiraspol and participated in festivities dedicated to the Bender city.

According to media information, at the festivity in Bender, the leader of the breakaway Transnistrian republic, Yevgeny Shevchuk, reportedly awarded Sabirov a distinction for participation in the war of Transnistria on the Tiraspol’s side.    

Following the expulsion of colonel Sabirov, the foreign ministry of the breakaway Transnistrian republic issued a press release, reading that “the vicious practice to put pressure on the Transnistrian side by limiting the entrance of Russian citizens to the Transnistrian territory has turned systematic. We note that such actions, which run counter the spirit of inter-state communication, are aimed, with a particular cynicism, against citizens of Russia – journalists, experts, politicians, representatives of the scientific community. This fact, according to the Transnistrian authorities, proves the intention of Moldova’s leadership to systematically oppose the development of the strategic partnership between the Transnistrian region and Russia.”  

“The actions of the Chisinau authorities will have a negative impact on the dialogue between the two sides,” the communiqué issued by the Transnistrian region’s foreign ministry also reads.  

(Reporter A. Plitoc, editor L. Alcaza)