Lawyer Vadim Vieru explained that the state can bar foreign nationals from leaving the country only in specific circumstances—for example, if they are serving a prison sentence, are under criminal investigation and subject to a restriction imposed by the competent authorities, or fall within another category specified by law. The measure announced against Vadim Krasnoselski therefore appears to be unenforceable.
“They all require a prosecutor or a judge. A press conference is not on the list,” the legal expert says following the announcement by the constitutional authorities.
Vieru also draws attention to the five-year period cited, Agora reports. According to him, the law provides for this period in cases where a foreign national is barred from entering the Republic of Moldova or declared undesirable, not to prevent them from leaving the country.
The lawyer says that before Vadim Krasnoselski could be barred from leaving the country, there would first need to be a criminal case in which he is formally designated a suspect. Prosecutors could then request an order prohibiting him from leaving the Republic of Moldova.
Such a measure may be imposed for no more than 60 days, and each extension must be justified. A five-year restriction would therefore require a series of successive decisions, each supported by its own justification.
Vadim Krasnoselski travelled to Moscow in early November, saying he wanted to negotiate gas supplies to the Transnistrian region. The self-proclaimed leader was decorated at the Kremlin by Vladimir Putin for “strengthening the unity of the Russian nation”. He later claimed that the left bank of the Dniester was part of the Russian world.
Chișinău condemned the statement and announced that, should he return, he would be barred from leaving the country for five years. The legal basis for the measure was not specified.
Vasile Tofan claimed that the constitutional authorities had thus outmaneuvered the Kremlin, which had allegedly planned to portray Krasnoselski as a victim if he were denied entry to Moldova and to offer his family refuge in Moscow.
Although former president Igor Dodon claimed that Vadim Krasnoselski might hold Moldovan citizenship, current Prime Minister Vasile Tofan denied the claim.
Vadim Krasnoselski is nearing the end of his purported term as leader of the Transnistrian region. A so-called election to choose a new leader there will be held in December.