Moldovan parliament scandal: Legal chief sold secrets to Russia

The head of the legal department in the Moldovan Parliament was caught selling state secrets to the deputy military attaché of Russia for amounts ranging from £400 to £1,600. Ion Creanga will spend the next 30 days in custody.

Prosecutors investigating the case of espionage for Russia reported that Ion Creanga, the head of the legal department in the Moldovan Parliament, was selling state secrets. The amounts ranged from £400 to £1,600.

Creanga systematically passed state secrets and draft laws to the deputy military attaché of the Russian Federation, Dmitrij Kielow, an intelligence officer under diplomatic cover, reported the Moldovan portal Ziarul National on Monday.

Vitalie Chisca, a representative of the Prosecutor's Office for Organised Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS), stated in court on Friday that Creanga received compensation for his actions.

"We are talking about information regarding parliamentary activities, draft laws, and other matters. It turned out that state secret information was also disclosed. The amounts ranged from £400 to £1,600," said Chisca.

Creanga was arrested for 30 days. Earlier, the Moldovan authorities announced the expulsion of a Russian diplomat for actions incompatible with diplomatic status. Moscow responded to this with the promise of an "adequate response."

The prosecutor added that Creanga did not want to testify, claiming he needed time to think. The second defendant, a border police officer who passed information about the airport in Chisinau to the Russians, did not plead guilty.

Both men were detained on the night of 30 to 31 July. Creanga was caught "red-handed" meeting with Kielow at a venue in Chisinau.