Russia will ensure that the rights of the former pro-Russian president of Moldova, Igor Dodon, placed in police custody in his country on Tuesday for treason and corruption, will be respected, a Russian deputy minister of foreign affairs said on Wednesday (25 May). Foreign Affairs, Andrei Rudenko.
Read alsoThe war in Ukraine is driving Moldova away from Moscow and closer to Europe
"
We consider that this is an internal matter in Moldova
," said the senior diplomat, quoted by Russian news agencies.
“
However, we would not want the ruling authorities to start settling scores with former political competitors by taking advantage of the current situation
,” he added.
Compliance with “international standards”
"
This is why we will carefully ensure that the rights of Igor Dodon in the context of the legal proceedings are respected and in accordance with international standards
", he underlined.
On Tuesday, Igor Dodon, suspected of treason and corruption, was taken into police custody and a dozen searches were carried out in the offices and at the home of the former leader in Chisinau, capital of this former Soviet republic. where the friction between pro-Westerns and pro-Russians has increased since the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
Investigators suspect Igor Dodon of having received money in 2019 from a political ally and sulphurous oligarch, Vlad Plahotniuc, who has since gone into exile and is the subject of American sanctions.
Igor Dodon presided over Moldova from 2016 to 2020, and was openly backed by Moscow.
After multiple scandals that splattered Igor Dodon, against a backdrop of corruption and endemic poverty, the pro-European Maïa Sandu won the presidential and legislative elections in 2020 and 2021, firmly anchoring her power.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: Moldova bends under collateral damage
Since the Russian offensive, Chisinau has shown strong support for kyiv.
It welcomes refugees, applied for EU membership and obtained the European promise of a significant increase in military aid.
Because Moldova, which is home to Transnistria, a pro-Russian separatist territory bordering Ukraine, fears that Moscow could choose it as a target.
Especially since the secessionist region said it was targeted in April by fire from Ukraine.