The Foreign Ministry of the separatist Transnistrian region states it has no information regarding the presence of MP Alexandr Nesterovschi on the region’s territory, reports IPN.

The statement came after Moldova’s Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) accused Russia of facilitating the escape of the convicted MP to Transnistria.

According to the SIS, the day before his sentencing, Nesterovschi allegedly entered the Russian Embassy and was later transported to the Transnistrian region in a vehicle with diplomatic plates. The service claims that he is currently in Tiraspol, under Russian guard.

In response, the Foreign Ministry of the self-proclaimed Transnistrian Moldovan Republic issued a statement:

“We officially inform that the law enforcement bodies of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic have no information regarding Mr. Nesterovschi’s presence on the territory of Transnistria.”

The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Moldova also denied the accusations, stating that the diplomatic mission operates strictly in accordance with the Vienna Convention and does not interfere in Moldova’s internal affairs.

President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, stated on Radio Moldova, during the program “La 360 de grade,” that this is a case of Russian interference in Moldova’s justice system. According to the head of state, bringing Nesterovschi back under Moldovan jurisdiction will be extremely difficult, given the close ties between Russia and the region on the left bank of the Nistru.

In response to the actions described by the intelligence service, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova declared three employees of the Russian Embassy persona non grata. Among them is the Russian co-chair of the Joint Control Commission, Alexandr Andreev. The expulsion was confirmed by the Russian Ambassador to Chișinău, Oleg Ozerov.