President Maia Sandu has signed a decree regarding the withdrawal of the citizenship of the Republic of Moldova from Alexandru Bălan, the former deputy director of the Information and Security Service (SIS). The decree on the withdrawal of citizenship was signed by Maia Sandu on June 23.
In Romania, the former official was accused of espionage. Following the arrest of Bălan, an operation ensued in which he was exchanged for two security officers, incarcerated by the FSB.
Concurrently, Alexandru Bălan could also lose his Romanian citizenship. According to information published by Digi24, his case is set to be examined by a specialized committee soon.
Bălan was detained on September 9, following investigations conducted by the police of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and the DIICOT prosecutors. He was accused of providing secret information to a KGB officer from Belarus.