Russia urges citizens to avoid Moldova, alleging mistreatment

Russia's Foreign Ministry has urged Russian citizens to avoid travelling to Moldova, alleging they face humiliating treatment and arbitrary checks when entering the country.

Source: Russian Foreign Ministry, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ministry advised Russian citizens to refrain from travelling to Moldova, claiming they risk humiliating inspections and deliberate obstruction when entering the country or transiting through Chișinău International Airport.

It alleged that, as part of an "anti-Russian policy supported by Western handlers", Moldova has intensified what it described as discriminatory measures against Russian citizens.

"The situation has reached the point of outright abuse of Russian passport holders arriving at Chișinău airport. They are subjected to humiliating searches, interrogations and inspections. There are frequent cases of people being forced to wait for hours in the transit zone without basic amenities or access to food and water," the ministry claimed.

It also alleged that Moldovan officials demand access to travellers' mobile phones for inspection and may then "without justification" deny them entry.

"The authorities deliberately prolong inspection procedures, causing passengers to miss their flights," the ministry said, adding that consular staff from the Russian embassy are allegedly denied access to citizens facing such difficulties.

"In this regard, the Russian Foreign Ministry once again strongly recommends that Russian citizens refrain from travelling to the Republic of Moldova," the statement concluded.

Background:

• The statement came shortly after Russia accused Moldova of "blocking diplomatic mail", claiming that couriers carrying correspondence for the Russian embassy had been detained at Chișinău airport, and summoned Moldova's ambassador.
• Moldova's Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations.

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