Terrorists Use Moldova as Transit State on Way to Middle East, EU

Moldova is not the target of terrorists, but became a country that terrorists cross, heading to Syria, Iraq or the European Union, according to Director of Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service Mihai Balan.

CHISINAU (Sputnik) — Terrorists have recently been using Moldova as a transit country on their way to Syria, Iraq or the European Union, Director of Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service Mihai Balan said on Thursday.

"Moldova is not the target of terrorists, but we have recently become a country that terrorists cross, heading to Syria, Iraq or the European Union," Balan said.

He also commented on the arrest of Moldova’s Consul General in Istanbul Veaceslav Filip who was detained on suspicion of bribery in the capital of Chisinau on Wednesday. Filip was detained for 72 hours on the accusation of corrupt activities, namely for issuing documents to foreign citizens allowing them to reside in Moldova.

"We stated that the entire staff of the Consulate General was involved in corrupt acts. We believe that they've lost vigilance and forgotten that they were appointed to protect the interests of Moldova and its citizens," Balan said.

He added that corruption was undermining national security, stressing that issuing documents without verifying identity presented a great danger for the country’s security and stability.