Moldova records rise in attempts to recruit its citizens for sabotage abroad

Mariya Yemets - 3 September, 11:45

A Moldovan flag. Stock photo: Getty Images

Moldova's intelligence service has recorded a rise in attempts to recruit Moldovan citizens for sabotage activities abroad, mostly actions targeting Ukraine.

Source: Newsmaker, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Alexandru Musteață, Head of Moldova's Intelligence and Security Service, said there had been an increase in the number of recorded attempts to recruit the country's citizens for sabotage activities abroad, as well as in the number of people who agreed to take part.

"There is such a phenomenon as 'low-level agents'. People are found on Telegram and offered €20, €50, €100 or more, depending on the task. Often, it can be 'go there and take a photo', 'go to another place and take a photo', or 'see what is there'. If they see that a person is performing well, both the amount of money and the complexity of the tasks increase," he explained.

"It can then get to the point of 'go there, take a bag and put it under a car', or something similar. We are currently working on this issue together with our Ukrainian counterparts, because many of these operations are specifically aimed there," Musteață added.

He said that Moldovan police have already carried out several successful counter-operations together with Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies, while several others were conducted separately in Moldova and helped thwart malicious plans.

Musteață noted that no similar orders for operations on Moldovan territory have been observed so far. "But that means we have to prepare – and we are already in the process of intensive preparations," the official added.

Background:

Danish intelligence services warned that Russian intelligence agencies are already preparing to organise sabotage at military-industrial facilities in the country and are attempting to recruit ordinary Danes.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that a recent fire at a Polish plant owned by a drone manufacturer was an act of sabotage.

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