The police said they identified a number of supporters of an international terrorist group of the Islamic state that could pose a threat to Moldova’s security. According to the authorities, Moldova was not the target as it was to be crossed on the way to Syria, IPN reports.

Deputy head of the General Police Inspectorate Gheorghe Cavcaliuc told a news conference that the police possess information about 11 adherents of the group. The whereabouts of some of them are known, while of others are not. In an apartment in Buiucani district of Chisinau, the police identified four adults and three children who said that they are ethnic Chechens and Tajiks. Among them was a citizen of North Caucasus who had a passport with signs of being a fake.

A couple with Russian nationality was expelled to Russia, while a man is now at the Migration and Asylum Bureau. A woman with three minor children, who has a long-term permit for staying in France, is on the outside, but is supervised by the police.

Two of the men – one who was expelled to Russia and the one who is at the Migration and Asylum Bureau – admitted that they were to reach Syria to fight there. One of them said he fought earlier too, but was injured. It is presumed that the supporters of the group attempted to recruit Moldovans to engage them in the armed conflict in Syria.

Gheorghe Cavcaliuc warned the people, especially those who rent homes, to call the police is they see something suspicious. The persons who earlier took part in armed conflicts can commit serious offenses because they can be mentally unstable.

A rogatory commission is to be set up to extend the investigation in cooperation with France, Norway, Russia and other states involved.