Moscow advises Russians to avoid traveling to Moldova: “Groundless harassment and inadequate treatment”
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Photo: Kommersant Photo Agency / ddp USA / Profimedia
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday recommended Russian citizens to avoid traveling to the Republic of Moldova, as a result of what it described as numerous cases of discrimination against Russian citizens in this country, reports EFE and TASS agencies, quoted by Agerpres.
“Moscow continues to register numerous cases of discrimination, groundless harassment and inadequate treatment by the Moldovan authorities against Russian citizens in Moldova”, indicates an official note published by the Russian MFA.
Therefore, this ministry “strongly recommends Russian citizens to consider these risks and avoid traveling to Moldova”.
According to the Russian MFA, the Chisinau authorities prevent consular assistance for Russian citizens. “Relevant requests from the Russian diplomatic mission are ignored. This means that the provision of consular services is practically impossible,” the same note states.
The Russian Foreign Ministry also states that, upon arrival at Chisinau airport, Russian passport holders “are regularly subjected to humiliating checks and controls” and often have to stay for several hours in the transit zone.
“In some cases, Russian citizens stayed at the airport for more than two days. Later, they were often denied entry to the country under invented pretexts. There were also reported cases of arbitrary application of laws, border detention and criminal prosecution without convincing evidence. Upon departure from Chisinau, passengers are deliberately subjected to prolonged security checks so that they miss their flights,” the Russian MFA further accuses.
