Intelligence officers took part in the National Greening Campaign “Plant Your Future”.

Participation of the Security and Intelligence Service at the National Greening Day has become a tradition for the institution, aimed to support the expansion and restoration of the state forest fund and to promote the importance of ecological security – a major condition for the sustainable development of the Republic of Moldova.

This year, the SIS employees planted acorns and contributed to landscaping, greening, and cleaning of the territory.

The planting material, necessary for the National Greening Campaign, was provided by the entities subordinated to the “Moldsilva” Agency.

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Security and Intelligence Service and General Prosecutor's Office inform about publications that appeared in the media regarding the alleged illegal support of the Russian Federation to some political parties, in the interest of Russian authorities.

More precisely, it concerns the alleged channeling of significant sums of money, offered by the Russian FSB, in order to support some Moldovan politicians and create a partnership to overthrow the pro-Western regime and redirect the Republic of Moldova towards the Russian Federation. The publication lists various tools, such as broadcasting pro-Russian television stations to promote Moscow's agenda, or sending teams of FSB political strategists to advise some political parties.

Therefore, the Security and Intelligence Service jointly with the General Prosecutor's Office will investigate the mentioned information and will take prompt decisions, in accordance with the outcomes of the investigation.

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By SIS Director’s Order No.59 of October 24, the list of online content sources spreading information that incites hatred and war, during the state of emergency, approved by the Parliament Decision No. 41/2022, was completed with: moldnod.ru and rusnod.ru.

The Security and Intelligence Service reiterates its public call for the mass media to prevent spreading and immediately delete fake articles/ information and those containing hate speech and/or inciting violence. Also, the institution urges the society to get informed from official and reliable sources.

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A group of 5 people, made up of bank employees and insolvency administrators, was detained by the National Anticorruption Center (NAC) and Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office (APO), following the intelligence support provided by the Security and Intelligence Service.

Five persons, including two employees of a commercial bank and three authorized administrators, were detained by the NAC and anticorruption prosecutors, after the searches carried out this morning. The suspects are being investigated in several cases of money laundering, fraud, abuse of office and forgery, being suspected of having illegally alienated dozens of assets pledged or mortgaged to the bank, thus causing damages of millions to clients.

According to the materials of the investigation and preliminary investigations, it was established that starting in 2017 a group of authorized administrators, together with two employees of a financial institution, organized a criminal plan aimed to deprive bank debtors of their movable and immovable assets pledged or mortgaged to the bank. Even though the bank sold all the debts to some foreign companies and had no right to the pledged assets, the suspects continued to use the assets and even alienate them, by deceit.

During the criminal investigation, it was also found that several pledged assets were undervalued and sold at prices much lower than their real value, and the buyers were people affiliated with the criminal group. Only in one case, the group would have managed to cause a damage of more than 10 million lei for a house undervaluation. The investigators claim that the number of illegally alienated assets and the damages to the injured parties could increase to tens of millions of euros, and other people are also involved in the scheme.

Thus, for October 7, 19 searches were authorized at homes, work offices and cars used by the suspects, as well as criminal prosecution actions in some bank offices. As a result, three authorized administrators and two bank employees were detained for 72 hours.

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Today, September 9, the Security and Intelligence Service marks the State Security Workers’ Day and the 31st anniversary of the special service of the Republic of Moldova. The event was attended by Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, SIS veterans and guests of honor.

During the solemn meeting, Alexandru Musteata, Director of the Security and Intelligence Service, mentioned that the dramatic events in Ukraine brought back to discussions the conventional threats considered to be left in the 20th century and emphasized internal vulnerabilities, conditioning the manifestation of new risk factors. As a result, the SIS has the obligation to anticipate and prevent direct threats to national security, originating both from outside and inside the country.

The SIS Director also appreciated the valuable contribution of each officer to the defense and promotion of the country's fundamental interests and noted that the achievements of the institution would not be possible without the work, dedication, professionalism, integrity and uprightness proved by the most of them.

In her speech, the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, stated that: "Our common goal is to ensure the security and well-being of citizens, through standards and professionalism, to be prepared to withstand threats and to promote peace with the international community. The challenges are multiple, and we can only face them with a united team, where everyone works for the citizens".

At the end of the event, the guests were invited to the opening ceremony of the museum of the Security and Intelligence Service, which became a symbol of the institution and its continuous process of transformation into a modern intelligence service. Among the exhibits of the museum, there is the Book for honored guests of the SIS, in which the Head of State added the first note.

According to the institutional tradition, the event began in the square of the Security and Intelligence Service, where officers laid wreaths at the monument dedicated to the heroes of state security bodies.

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Today, September 8, a group of young officers started their professional careers in the Security and Intelligence Service by taking the Oath of Allegiance to Motherland, in front of the monument dedicated to heroes of the state security bodies. The event was attended by Alexandru Musteața, Director of the Security and Intelligence Service, the command staff of the SIS, as well as faculty members of the National Institute of Intelligence and Security "Bogdan, Întemeietorul Moldovei".

During the ceremony, the SIS Director congratulated the officers and urged them to give the highest priority to personal and professional integrity in their work and to practice the security principles up to the level of reflexes.

Also, Alexandru Musteața thanked the teaching staff of the National Institute of Intelligence and Security "Bogdan, Întemeietorul Moldovei" (INIS) and congratulated them on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Institute, mentioning the progress made in adapting to the requirements of intelligence officer training process, academic initiatives and civil society cooperation.

Officers, who today took the Oath of Allegiance to the Motherland, will attend a professional training course, where they will acquire a wide set of skills, knowledge and values necessary for an officer of the Security and Intelligence Service.

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Alexandru Musteața, Director of the Security and Intelligence Service, had a meeting with rectors of higher education institutions from the Republic of Moldova. The discussions concerned a possibility of cooperation that would bring the academic environment closer to the security system needs, as well as the SIS transparency for a wider participation of the civil society in development of public policies in the field of national security.

During the meeting, the SIS Director suggested initiating a national campaign for students, called "Security Education". Its aim is to explain the types of threats and risks to state security, phenomena such as cyber security and impact of fake news, including the concept of security culture.

“In today's extremely complex and difficult times, a strong security culture is needed, which would be promoted in a sustained manner, especially among young people. The university community represents a valuable partner and an optimal platform for launching this education program. A well-informed society is more resistant to manipulation and misinformation, therefore, I request higher education institutions to support the SIS efforts at achieving national security objectives and I count on your contribution in promoting security education within the universities you lead”, said the SIS Director.

The guests showed their willingness to cooperate and support the Security and Intelligence Service initiative and came up with a set of proposals to diversify and improve the mentioned actions – one of them was to draw up a common agenda of curricular and extracurricular activities. At the end, members of the academic community signed the Declaration on the creation of the national communication network for security education.

The educational project will be implemented by the National Institute of Intelligence and Security "Bogdan, Întemeietorul Moldovei", which at the initial stage will provide support for the curriculum development of the optional university course "Introduction to Security" and will organize training for those who will teach this subject.

The partners of the national campaign "Security Education" are: "Ștefan cel Mare" Academy, "Alexandru cel Bun" Military Academy, Academy of Music, Theater and Fine Arts, Academy of Economic Studies from Moldova, American University of Moldova, National Justice Institute, Institute of Criminal Science and Applied Forensics, Commercial Cooperative University of Moldova, Free International University from Moldova, Taraclia State University, Slavic University, State Pedagogical University "Ion Creangă", State University from Cahul "Bogdan Petriceicu Hașdeu", State University in Comrat, European Studies University, Moldova State University, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, University Of Political And Economic Studies "Constantin Stere", Technical University of Moldova.

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Alexandru Musteața, Director of the Security and Intelligence Service of the Republic of Moldova, had a meeting with Eduard Raul Hellvig, Director of the Romanian Intelligence Service. During this meeting, the officials addressed topics of common interest within the framework of the bilateral partnership in order to prevent risks and threats that endanger national and regional security.

The two heads of intelligence services spoke for boosting cooperation on the fight against cross-border threats, cross-border organized crime, terrorist and cyberattacks, as well as radicalization and misinformation.

Also, they discussed the objectives set by the Security and Intelligence Service of the Republic of Moldova concerning the institutional reform, increasing the trust level of citizens, and the transparency of the SIS activity.

The parties reviewed issues regarding regional developments with potential impact on the security situation of the two states and agreed to the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms aimed at streamlining the process of countering risks that affect the regional and European security climate.

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SIS officers, together with Customs Service officers and PCCOCS prosecutors, annihilated an attempt to smuggle out of the country through Costești customs post – approximately six million cigarettes of various commercial brands with domestic excise stamps.

On Wednesday morning, August 10, a truck carrying wood charcoal from Ukraine to Romania drove in the control area of the Costești customs post. As the truck was in transit, it had a customs seal on the trailer – the contraband was disguised there.

Based on the operative information, customs officers conducted a detailed physical check and scanned the trailer. The resulted pictures raised suspicions regarding the nature of the declared and transported goods.

Law enforcement officers ordered the removal of the customs seal and checked the cargo compartment. As a result they found 600 boxes with 299,996 packs of cigarettes with a local excise stamp, disguised along the tarpaulin, behind the bags.

After detaining the truck, law enforcement officers decided to carry out searches at a warehouse in the Edineț district, where the same type of charcoal was found that was legally transported in the truck. There, officers found another 100,000 cigarette packages, containing two million cigarettes of the same brand, which would have also been illegally transported.

At the time of arrest, the driver, a 59-year-old man, a citizen of Ukraine, refused to provide information to the investigative team and avoided making statements. He was detained for 72 hours for criminal prosecution actions. The outcomes of these procedures will make it possible to decide on preventive measure. Until then, according to law, the man is presumed innocent.

As regards the goods and means of transport, they have been seized, until a decision is made on this case.

PCCOCS prosecutors jointly with the Customs Service and SIS undertake the full range of measures necessary to establish all the persons involved in this crime.

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The Security and Intelligence Service took notice of allegations on a social media platform, made by the Russian citizen, Yulia Navalnyi regarding her alleged illegal surveillance on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

SIS states that no special investigative measures, including visual surveillance, have been carried out on the aforementioned Russian citizen.

Considering the presented information, the SIS in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies has launched an investigation in order to clarify all the circumstances stated by Yulia Navalnyi.

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The graduation ceremony of a new class of intelligence officers took place today, June 17, at the National Institute of Intelligence and Security "Bogdan, Întemeietorul Moldovei" of the SIS. The event took place in the presence of the SIS leadership and professors.

Alexandru Musteața, Director of the Security and Intelligence Service, congratulated the young people for the choice they made, and the results obtained during their studies, reminding them that both the institution and society have high hopes for their potential and intelligence in preventing and identifying risks and threats to the Republic of Moldova, in a fragile and complex security environment.

"I urge you to be guided by the principles of integrity, professionalism and devotion, and not to forget that intelligence, information and law are the weapons, which must always guide your actions and decisions. Your service must improve the image and reputation of the Security and Intelligence Service, and together we can succeed in consolidating the legitimacy of the institution", said the Director of the Security and Intelligence Service.

The Rector of the National Institute of Intelligence and Security "Bogdan, the Founder of Moldova", Vitalie Sîli, emphasized that the practical activity of an intelligence officer is based on the scientific and methodological foundation offered at the Institute, but each graduate has the mission to capitalize individually the gained knowledge and learn continuously from the experience of colleagues to develop their own skills and improve professional competence.

At the end of the ceremony, the intelligence officers received their graduation certificates. They will be assigned to the SIS departments according to their specialized training, where young officers will benefit from the support of the experienced colleagues.

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Today, June 2, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova appointed Alexandru Musteața as Director of the Security and Intelligence Service of the Republic of Moldova.

The new SIS Director was introduced to intelligence officers by Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

In her speech, Maia Sandu asked intelligence officers to keep countering risks and threats to national security, especially in the context of the complex regional situation. The Head of State reiterated the major expectations of the society for the SIS but also the need to reform it, strengthen inter-institutional relations, and achieve tangible results in the near future.

During the event, the Head of State thanked the former SIS Director, Alexandr Esaulenco, for his efforts during his work and for his effective contribution to the achievement of the national security goal.

Also, the President of the Republic of Moldova emphasized the importance of preparing officers for modern challenges and carrying out institutional duties in service to citizens and country.

Alexandru Musteața, the SIS Director, listed several priorities of his mandate: comprehensive analysis of the institution's activity; review of policy documents in the field of national security (jointly with decision makers); fight against corruption; strengthening the democratic control over the institution, both via parliamentary control and increasing the trust of Moldovan citizens in the SIS, through transparency, constant dialogue and security culture.

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The Security and Intelligence Service jointly with the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases and the Customs Service, on May 17, executed search warrants in Chișinău and outside, in a case on cigarette smuggling.

As a result of 23 searches on commercial points, homes, and means of transport of the persons named in case, the officers found and seized: 200 thousand pieces of tobacco products, money in US dollars and euros, of unknown legal origin, the equivalent of over 240 thousand lei, and two means of transport.

Following a series of special investigation measures, the authorities found out that six people were involved in this scheme, each with a well-defined role – starting from the purchase of tobacco products from the black market and ending with sale to persons carrying them illegally across the border of the state.

One of the organizers of the criminal scheme was detained for 72 hours during the proceedings, while the other persons are being investigated at liberty and are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court ruling. The criminal investigation continues, in order to examine all the aspects of the crime.

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"National Security of the Republic of Moldova: Challenges and Tendencies" was the title of an event organized on May 14 by the National Institute of Intelligence and Security "Bogdan, Întemeietorul Moldovei" of the Security and Intelligence Service of the Republic of Moldova.

The national scientific and practical conference was organized in partnership with the Moldova State University, Free International University of Moldova, Military Academy of the Armed Forces "Alexandru cel Bun", and State University of Physical Education and Sport.

The meeting aimed to integrate the efforts of higher education institutions from Moldova, with study programs in security, in order to develop a common scientific product by masters students and teachers of security courses.

The conference provided a platform for discussion for more than 70 guests, including researchers, scientists, masters students and experts who made their extensive presentations on national security issues of the Republic of Moldova. Also, the event contributed to establishing new relationships that will help to initiate joint collaboration projects, as well as to supporting and promoting the security culture.

Participants focused their research on a wide range of topics, which were grouped into the following blocks: multilateral approach to national security; dimensions of the national security of the Republic of Moldova: political, economic, social, human, ecological; national security of the Republic of Moldova in the context of international security, as well as the parameters of national security of the Republic of Moldova.

Representatives of higher education institutions noted the relevance of the scientific forum and specified the need to develop the national security segment but also to diversify and deepen the studies dedicated to various aspects of the national security process and its inherent phenomena, in order to identify optimal and viable solutions that will help state security bodies to achieve goals and fulfill tasks efficiently.

The materials of the National Scientific and Practical Conference “National Security of the Republic of Moldova: Challenges and Tendencies” will serve as a methodical and educational support for researchers, students and masters students interested in this topic, as well as for practitioners involved in ensuring national security. Moreover, the quality of studies and the broad variety of topics covered at the conference, give it a unique theoretical and practical significance.

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On May 11, 2022, officers of the Security and Intelligence Service jointly with the prosecutors of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office and employees of the Internal Protection and Anti-Corruption Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs conducted searches at homes, offices, official and personal cars of three employees of the National Inspectorate of Public Security (INSP).

The criminal prosecution actions are carried out within two criminal cases on illicit enrichment (art. 330/2 para.1), false statements (art. 352/1 para. 2) and passive corruption (art. 324 para. 2, lett. b,c of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova).

The criminal actions of suspects included various tactics of demanding and receiving money (including extortion) from drivers involved in road traffic. The amounts of money ranged between 200 - 600 euros.

At the same time, according to the gathered evidence, authorities found a substantial difference between the acquired wealth and the income obtained by one of the heads of INSP.

As a result of the searches, officers found and seized mobile phones, a GPS jammer, registers, money, including several objects serving as evidence in the criminal case.

Moreover, during a search carried out at one of the INSP employees, officers found and seized a non-registered and unverified device for measuring the concentration of ethanol in exhaled air.

The suspects were detained for 72 hours and placed in a preventive detention facility of the National Anticorruption Center.

Note: A person is presumed innocent until proved guilty by final court sentence.

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Yesterday, May 5, more than 25 searches took place in Briceni district. As a result, six people were detained and five means of transport were seized. The investigation was carried out by the SIS officers jointly with the General Inspectorate of the Border Police and the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office.

Authorities documented illegal actions of the group regarding the transfer of about 125,000 packs of cigarettes, worth 3,000,000 lei, via "green" border of the Moldovan-Romanian border. To commit these illegalities, the members of the group found border police officers who facilitated the transport of cigarettes across the border for 18,000 euros. These actions were constantly monitored and all cases of corruption of Border Police employees were reported to the investigative body.

Investigations into this case continue in order to identify all accomplices and to gather evidence relevant to the case.

At the same time, the latest investigations revealed that the criminal group was preparing a new smuggling scheme of weapons from Ukraine. At the moment, authorities are identifying goods that belong to the documented persons and that were acquired through criminal means, in order to seize them.

Note: Throughout the criminal investigation, the suspects are presumed innocent.

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Officers of the Security and Intelligence Service, employees of the Border Police and Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, jointly with Romanian authorities, dismantled a cross-border organized criminal group specialized in smuggling, consisting of 15 people.

Members of the group had well-defined roles and, in order to carry out the criminal activity, they operated jointly with another group that was taking over smuggled goods.

The activity of the criminal group was investigated during six months. In this period of time, authorities documented five controlled deliveries of cigarettes across the "green" border of the state. Therefore, they gathered relevant evidence detained individuals in flagrante delicto.

At the same time, authorities found out that the documented persons corrupted employees of the Border Police, in order to illegally cross the “green” border (other sections than legal checkpoints). Border policemen were paid between €4000-7000 for organization of each clandestine crossing.

During the operation, the investigation team carried out 12 searches in several localities in the northern region of the Republic of Moldova, while four people were detained.

The persons named in the case are citizens of the Republic of Moldova, aged between 25 and 40 years. In fact, they purchased and stored goods near the border and then illegally transported them across the state border.

We point out that throughout the criminal investigation, the suspects are presumed to be innocent.

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Today, a judge from the Comrat Court was subjected to searches in a criminal case on illicit enrichment committed by a public official. The actions took place after the Interim Prosecutor General obtained the approval of the Superior Council of Magistracy, which accepted the request to carry out criminal prosecution against the judge.

According to the case, the judge together with his family members obtained in a short period of time several assets. Their value substantially exceeds the family's income. At this stage, it is suspected that some of the goods and properties acquired by him, would be managed both by some members of his family and by intermediaries.

In order to strengthen the evidence, the officers of the Security and Intelligence Service and National Anti-Corruption Centre carried out searches at the judge's office, at his home and in his car. The Ordinance authorized to seize flash drives, documents, accounting documents, other evidence in the interest of the criminal investigation. These are to be analyzed within the case.

At the moment, other actions are being carried out to ensure a complete and objective investigation. It is being done within the legal limits, ensuring compliance with the presumption of innocence of the person and respect for all procedural rights and guarantees.

The Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office is conducting the criminal investigation.

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The Security and Intelligence Service of the Republic of Moldova notifies the operators (ministries, other public authorities or institutions and legal persons, managing facilities included in the National Nomenclature of Critical Infrastructure, regardless of the property type and legal form of organization), that on 7 April 2022, the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova adopted on second reading the Law on modification of the Contravention Code of the Republic of Moldova no. 218/2008.

Thus, the Code was supplemented with art.365/4 “Violation of the legislation in the field of anti-terrorism protection”, which provides sanctions with a fine for violating provisions of the Regulation on protection of the critical infrastructure against terrorism, approved by Government Decision no. 701/2018, as well as for the non-fulfillment of mandatory requirements issued in accordance with the Regulation on organization and conduct of anti-terrorism tests, approved by Government Decision no. 996/2018.

The initiative to supplement the Contravention Code was submitted by the SIS in order to make the operators and managerial staff more responsible for ensuring all set of measures aimed to guarantee the efficient protection of critical infrastructure facilities.

The SIS Anti-Terrorism Center, as the national authority in the field of preventing and combating terrorism, will continue to ensure an effective dialogue with operators and will keep providing the necessary support to streamline joint processes and efforts to counteract risks to critical infrastructure.

NOTE: The draft law on modification of the Contravention Code of the Republic of Moldova no. 15/2022 (merged with no. 428/2021; 24/2022; 44/2022 and 46/2022) is to be examined in the final reading.

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On Tuesday, April 5, the Director of the Security and Intelligence Service, Alexandr Esaulenco attended an informal meeting with opinion leaders, journalists and security experts. The meeting was organized by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms (IPRE) and the “Friedrich Ebert” Foundation.

During the discussion, the participants covered the following topics: risks and threats to the security of the Republic of Moldova in the new regional context, the actions of the SIS to discover, prevent and counteract risks and threats resulting from the created situation, including the information security situation.

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The Security and Intelligence Service jointly with the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) is investigating a case on embezzlement committed at Mărculești International Airport by the management who ran the company in 2018.

In addition to embezzlement, the management is suspected of tax evasion and money laundering. According to preliminary estimates, the damage caused to company and state budget exceeds 10 million lei.

The documentation carried out by the SIS officers, in coordination with the PCCOCS, revealed that the investigated actions took place between 2012 and 2018 and are related to the fact that a significant part of the companies providing services for the Airport were affiliated to a decision-maker of the Airport in office at that time. In order to conceal the illegalities, another manager of the Airport smuggled out important documents from the employees’ offices, which could not be added to archives and subsequently examined by law enforcement officers.

Therefore, on the morning of April 1, law enforcement officers launched searches at multiple addresses in Chișinău and Bălți of former decision-makers of the company, in order to gather evidence for further investigations.

Note: During the criminal investigation, persons named in the case, including the accused ones, rely on the presumption of innocence.

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The draft law on electronic identification and trust services, initiated by the Security and Intelligence Service, was approved today by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The need to develop the draft law arises from the National Action Plan for the implementation of the EU – Moldova Association Agreement for 2017-2019, approved by Government Decision no. 1472 of 30.12.2016, according to which the SIS was appointed responsible for implementation of art. 255 of the Plan - development of the draft law to transpose the Regulation 910/2014 into national legislation.

The document aims to boost the development of electronic services and enhance confidence in transactions between citizens, businesses and public authorities, helping to increase the efficiency of online services in the public and private sectors, economic activity and electronic commerce.

The law regulates new services related to electronic signatures, which are not currently found in national legislation, such as: electronic identification, electronic time stamps, security certificates for web pages, electronic seals. Therefore, the seal can be applied to electronic documents by legal entities and can be issued for use in automated information systems.

The new provisions aim to bring the national legislation on electronic signatures in line with European standards. At the same time, the creation of a single mechanism between the Republic of Moldova and the European Union for operation of public key certification services will facilitate the development of international cooperation in the field of electronic commerce.

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During the day of March 29, 2022, following the consent of the Superior Council of Magistracy, officers of the Security and Intelligence Service jointly with the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office and National Anticorruption Center carried out searches at the office, home, and vehicle of a judge from the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ), concerned in a criminal case on illicit enrichment committed by a public dignitary (art.330/2 para. (2) of the Criminal Code).

In particular, the judge is suspected that, during 2014-2021, while exercising administrative functions in courts, he and his family members obtained a substantial increase in their wealth, which could not be reasonably justified considering their legal income.

As a result of the searches, the anticorruption prosecutors seized from the judge’s office, his mobile phone and his information from the computer, which will be inspected and assessed together with other evidence gathered in this criminal case.

At the moment, following the criminal prosecution actions, no procedural coercive measures have been applied with regard to the judge concerned.

Subsequently, the judge was summoned to the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office, on March 30, 2022, in order to be recognized as a suspect.

Moreover, several criminal prosecutions actions are carried out within the above-mentioned criminal case to ensure a complete and fair investigation.

We reiterate that the actions are carried out within the legal limits, ensuring the presumption of innocence of the person concerned and respect for all legitimate rights and freedoms.

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In the context of the prohibition for men aged 18-60 to leave Ukraine under martial law, the processes of irregular migration on the green sector of the Moldovan-Ukrainian border have intensified.

The process of border security monitoring, carried out in partnership with the Security Service of Ukraine, helped the SIS officers jointly with the representatives of the National Anticorruption Center and the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office to annihilate a cross-border criminal group specialized in irregular migration and to catch 3 members in the act of transferring money. The criminal group was organized in a hierarchy, where each member had a well-defined role. Also, authorities established the complicity of several public servants from the Republic of Moldova.

According to victims of the chain and documented information, the persons involved in the illegal activity allegedly demanded taxes ranging between $3,500 and $10,000 to facilitate the illegal crossing of the state border. The victims requested services via messaging platforms, where they negotiated the route, the amounts of money to be paid, and details about the departure point. At the beginning of the route, victims paid a part of the agreed price and the rest had to be paid in the Republic of Moldova.

The SIS warns that the security situation in the region is monitored by special services of the neighboring countries in order to prevent individuals suspected of serious and particularly serious crimes, those affiliated to various organized criminal groups and other undesirable elements to enter the country. The SIS jointly with the partners will use all the specific methods to secure the national security and to deter the activity of irregular migration channels.

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On Tuesday, the SIS officers and PCCOCS prosecutors detained six members of a cross-border organized criminal group, including three Border Police employees, in a cigarette smuggling case worth more than 2.5 million lei. This case is also investigated by the prosecutors of the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) of Romania.

The smuggled cigarettes were packed in about 285,000 packages and were transported to Romania, crossing the border near Ungheni, on January 2 and 3, 2018. When cigarettes were delivered to Iasi, they were sold on the black market and the income was invested in real estate and luxury cars.

In addition to the previously gathered evidence, in order to uncover the involvement of the six detainees, 18 searches were carried out in Ungheni district, including the local Border Police Department, as well as in Hâncești district. Moreover, the investigations from Romania are carried out by the DIICOT prosecutors.

Further, PCCOCS prosecutors are to hear at least six people and bring charges against them, in order to request preventive arrest – time when the persons concerned rely on the presumption of innocence.

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The Security and Intelligence Service jointly with the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office documented the alleged actions of trading in influence (art. 326 of the Criminal Code) committed by a former SIS officer, attempting to bribe an employee of the same institution with a managerial position.

In fact, the former SIS officer is accused of transferring the money to an SIS employee, that holds a management position in the institution, in order to settle a criminal case.

At the moment, he is collaborating with the criminal investigation body, while the authorities take active actions to establish the involvement of all persons and the role of each one in committing the criminal act.

Besides the former SIS officer, two more individuals are involved in this criminal case. They have been released under investigation and no measure of restraint has been taken against them.

Moreover, during the criminal prosecution, authorities established that one of the persons named in the case was involved in other criminal activities related to organization of the entry of Ukrainian refugees into Moldova. As a consequence, 3 Ukrainians carrying out criminal activity on the territory of the Republic of Moldova were detained, were given the defendant status in the same criminal case and subjected to prosecutor hearing.

It should be noted that all detainees with defendant status in this criminal case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Update: By SIS Director’s Order No.22 of March 15, the list of online content sources spreading information that incites hatred and war, during the state of emergency, approved by the Parliament Decision No. 41/2022, was completed with:

indigolotos.info

The Security and Intelligence Service reiterates its public call for the mass media to prevent spreading and immediately delete fake articles/ information and those containing hate speech and/or inciting violence. Also, the institution urges the society to get informed from official and reliable sources.

If you found information inciting hatred and war in the state of emergency, we suggest you to report it using this link.

Update: By SIS Director’s Order No.20 of March 10, the list of online content sources spreading information that incites hatred and war, during the state of emergency, approved by Parliament Decision No. 41/2022, was completed with the following websites:

flux.md;

iurierosca.md;

rosca.md

The Security and Intelligence Service reiterates its public call for the mass media to prevent spreading and immediately delete fake articles/ information and those containing hate speech and/or inciting violence.

Update: By SIS Director’s Order No.18 of March 7, the list of online content sources spreading fake information that affects national security, during the state of emergency, approved by Parliament Decision No. 41/2022, was completed with the website www.rta.md.

In accordance with points 26-28 of the Disposition No.1 of 24 February 2022 of the Commission for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Moldova, the SIS identified the www.rta.md website, that positions itself as an analytical center called “Regional Trends Analytics”. It spreads information reflecting views against territorial integrity and neutrality of the Republic of Moldova, as well as opinions that justify the war.

Moreover, the address of the editorial board is a fictitious one.

The Security and Intelligence Service reiterates its public call for mass media to prevent spreading and immediately delete fake articles/ information and those containing hate speech and/or inciting violence.

Update: By SIS Director’s Order No.16 of February 28, the list of online content sources spreading fake information that affects national security, during the state of emergency, approved by Parliament Decision No. 41/2022, was completed with the website www.acasa-24.site. Its headlines have been actively promoted on social networks in order to misinform the general public.

The institution announces the detection of another website of this kind, namely www.ehomd.info, the activity of which is to be halted by the SIS Director’s Order No.14 of 26 February 2022.

In accordance with the legal provisions, the document is sent to the National Registrar of the top level domain "md" and to the providers of electronic communications networks and/or services, in order to immediately block the access to this source for users from the Republic of Moldova.

We bring to notice that this morning two other websites were shut down: www.sputnik.md and www.gagauznews.md.

The SIS reiterates its public call and repeatedly requests all administrators of online content sources to immediately remove false articles / information on the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, as well as messages inciting hatred, mass unrest or war, published during 23 – 24 February 2022, inclusively. At the same time, the Service urges the general public to get informed from official sources and those actively verifying published information, as well as to refrain from sharing questionable information, containing hate speech and/or inciting violence.

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To the attention of the public authorities,

Regarding the intensification of phishing attacks targeting e-mail accounts of public authorities, we recommend being very vigilant about your inbox messages, especially unsolicited mail coming from unknown sources. The links or attachments contained in such messages may infect your workstation with malicious code (viruses).

Thus, we urge you to be guided by the following principles:

Always check the source of incoming messages before opening links or attachments;

Avoid opening links and attachments from unknown sources or unsolicited messages;

When the message looks suspicious and you are not sure whether to click it or not, contact the sender (for example - by phone) to check if they sent the message.

Scan the received attachments with an antivirus software before opening them;

Do not provide any personal data and credentials (username and password) if they are required by suspicious links received via email;

Report suspected phishing cases to IT specialists within your organization;

Always use an updated antivirus software.

Include these recommendations in your daily routine so that they become a reflex in your online activity!

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The Security and Intelligence Service attests the irresponsible behavior of some citizens who undermine the peaceful coexistence of the multiethnic and multilingual society of the Republic of Moldova, by displaying and disseminating certain flags, graphic emblems, badges, uniforms, slogans and greetings.

Therefore, in accordance with art. 9 lett. p) Law No. 619/1995 on state security bodies and art. 5 of the Law No. 54/2003 on countering extremist activity, the SIS carried out prophylactic measures regarding certain individuals, who proliferated in public graphic emblems and biased badges that can provoke conflict situations due to ideological, political and national hatred.

We remind that any call for or incitement to war, hatred, national or ethnic discord is prohibited by Law No. 54/2003 on countering extremist activity, falling within the scope of articles 140, 176/1, 341, 346 of the Criminal Code.

At the same time, we consider that some people who resorted to such gestures were not aware of the potential impact and negative consequences for society. In this context, the Security and Intelligence Service reiterates the call to citizens to refrain from illegal actions that may lead to social dissensions.

The SIS jointly with competent law enforcement bodies will continue the prophylactic measures aimed at preventing hate speech and other mentioned illicit activities.

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The Security and Intelligence Service jointly with the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) and Internal Protection and Anti-Corruption Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are investigating the actions of individuals who have recently proliferated in public biased and invented information about the Ukrainian war.

The documented facts refer to systematic dissemination of such information via different types of media. The investigation revealed that these actions aimed to promote war among the Moldovan population and to generate social discord. Therefore, the actions are investigated in the light of the offenses provided for in art. 140 and 346 of the Criminal Code.

As investigations are ongoing, further data will be provided when information of major social impact becomes available, as long as the objectivity of the investigation is not affected.

At the same time, citizens are asked to be vigilant about the sources of information and to refrain from the illegal actions mentioned above.

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