CHISINAU. May 29 (Interfax) - Five diplomats of the Russian Embassy in Moldova were declared personae not gratae, they were ordered to leave the country in 24 hours, and the Russian ambassador confirmed this information.
The relevant note was sent to the embassy on Monday afternoon, sources in the Moldovan Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry told Interfax.
Ambassador Farit Muhametshin confirmed that the matter involves five diplomats. He did not disclose their names and refrained from commenting on the Moldovan foreign ministry's decision.
It is known that Alexander Grudin, the aide to the military attache of the Russian Embassy in Moldova, is among the diplomats subjected to the expulsion. In March 2017, Moldovan security services publicly accused him of recruiting and obtaining classified information from former member of the Moldovan parliament Iurie Bolboceanu. Bolboceanu was arrested on March 17. He is charged with high treason and espionage and is facing from 12 to 20 years in prison.