Interior Ministry says people affiliated with Russian structures prevented from participating in unauthorized championship in Moldova; 195 people attempted to enter Moldova

As many as 195 foreign citizens, mostly from the Russian Federation and Belarus, were prevented from entering the territory Moldova, in the context of an unauthorized sporting event.

According to the Interior Ministry, the competition was not listed in the official registers of the Ministry of Education and Research (MEC) and was not approved by the competent state institutions. The cited source said that, following a coordinated action between the General Inspectorate of the Border Police and other institutions, including the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), competent people found that, among the participants, there had been individuals with direct links to power wielding structures from the Russian Federation, such as SOBR, CSKA, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and former Russian military personnel.

At the same time, among those who wanted to enter the country, there were sportspeople from regions under occupation or unrecognized international administration, such as Crimea and Donbas. As a result, 19 individuals were stopped at the border, with the non-admission measure applied on the country's territory, while another 176 were refused boarding to Moldova, as a result of information exchange and international cooperation.

After the cancellation by the organizers of the competition among seniors, the tournament intended for juniors continues, but access for minor sportspeople is allowed only under the strict conditions of the legal framework regarding entry into the country.

The Interior Ministry reiterated that it would continue to enforce all necessary protection measures in case of increased security risks, according to the legislation in force.

The ministry also notes that all athletes participating in all competitions organized in Moldova are thoroughly checked, in order to ensure the security and integrity of sporting events.