Romanian president says Romania contributed to release of Moldovan intelligence officers from Russian captivity

Romanian President Nicusor Dan has highlighted Romania’s involvement in the release of two officers of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) from captivity in the Russian Federation. He said that the Romanian authorities had played an active role in the international operation.

“Romania took an active and successful part in the transatlantic effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of State, which also involved the recovery of two Moldovan officers held captive in the Russian Federation,” Nicusor Dan said.

According to the Romanian head of state, diplomatic and intelligence efforts were essential to achieving the prisoner swap.

“The diplomatic and intelligence efforts, which concluded with the prisoner exchange, were made possible also as a result of the efforts of the Romanian authorities,” he underlined.

In the context, the Romanian Intelligence Service, in cooperation with partners from the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary, documented espionage activities carried out by Moldovan citizen Alexandru Balan in favor of the Belarusian KGB. This information formed the basis for his arrest in Romania and, subsequently, his extradition to Moldova, which enabled the exchange to take place.

President Maia Sandu today announced that two SIS officers has been released in a 5 for 5 swap carried out at the Belarus–Poland border, after several months of negotiations coordinated by SIS together with international partners.

The Moldovan head of state thanked U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as partners from the United States, Poland and Romania for their involvement in the operation. As part of the exchange, the Moldovan authorities handed over two individuals, including Alexandru Balan, who is accused of treason in the interest of the Belarusian services.

The prisoner exchange was the result of complex negotiations held during more months, in cooperation with Western partners. According to the Moldovan authorities, some details were not made public earlier, so as not to jeopardize the conduct of the operation and the safety of those involved.