Madalin Necsutu and Samir KajosevicChisinau, PodgoricaBIRNFebruary 16, 202312:15A Montenegrin boxing team was barred from Moldova this week for security reasons, sources from Chisinau told BIRN, citing concerns that foreigners could infiltrate a big pro-Russian protest due in Chisinau on Sunday.
Supporters of Shor political party light smoke bombs during a protest in Chisinau, Moldova on November 2022. Photo: Photo: EPA-EFE/DUMITRU DORU
A Montenegrin boxing team barred from entering Moldova on February 14 was stopped for security reasons, high-ranking sources from Chisinau told BIRN, referencing concerns about foreigners joining a pro-Russian protest due to take place on Sunday in Chisinau.
The rally is being organized by pro-Russian and anti-European organizations allegedly behind the fugitive oligarchs Ilan Shor and Vladimir Plahotniuc, both facing charges at home of corruption, money laundering and other activities associated with organized crime.
A day earlier, on February 13, Moldovan President Maia Sandu alleged that some citizens of Russia, Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro planned to try to enter Moldova and help oust its pro-EU government in order to replace it with a Russian-controlled regime.
Sandu claimed that foreign saboteurs with military training, disguised as civilians, would try to help to stage a coup under the cover of planned protests staged by Moldova’s pro-Russian opposition.
She spoke after Moldovan police last week said they had received information from Ukraine about alleged Russian plans to destabilize the pro-Western government in Chisinau.
According to this information, Moscow aims to infiltrate anti-government protests with, among others, athletes from other countries such as Belarus, Serbia and Montenegro.
The Montenegrin boxing association said on February 14 that five members of the boxing club Budva were banned from entering Moldova at Chisinau airport and told to return home on the first flight without being told why. It insisted the boxers had an official invitation to participate in a tournament in Chisinau.
“Their documents were confiscated and they spent the whole night in the transit zone without food or accommodation. They were deported back to Montenegro with the explanation that Montenegrin citizens are currently prohibited from entering Moldova without more detailed information,” the Association said.
The same day, several Serbian football fans who flew to Moldova to watch an international match were also turned back, on suspicion that they might be undercover saboteurs. Moldova’s airspace was briefly closed on Tuesday for what was described as security reasons.
Russian authorities have dismissed the coup accusations as “unfounded and unsubstantiated,” while Serbian and Montenegrin officials have also dismissed the accusations and asked for explanations.
Sandu and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on February 15 discussed her comments about the risks of a coup, expressing their willingness to cooperate to prevent illegal activities involving the citizens of the two countries. Montenegrin and Moldovan government representatives also agreed to exchange information about the potentially illegal activities of their citizens.
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