Bosnia To Expel Russian Man Suspected Of Training Moldovans To Foment Unrest

Authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina will expel a Russian citizen who was arrested on suspicion of instructing Moldovan nationals how to foment unrest in Moldova, Bosnia's Foreign Ministry confirmed to RFE/RL on November 19. The Russian man, Aleksandr Bezrukavy, was arrested in the city of Bosanska Krupa on November 16, The police chief of Bosnia's northwestern Una-Sana Canton, Adnan Habibija, told RFE/RL on November 18. According to Habibija, the arrested man is suspected of having links with training camps near the city of Banja Luka. Last month, media reported about the existence of camps in Bosnia and Serbia associated with Russia's Wagner mercenary group where instructors trained young people to cause unrest in Moldova ahead of and during a presidential election. Moldova's pro-Western incumbent President Maia Sandu defeated Russia-friendly challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo in a November 3 runoff vote in balloting marred by accusations of Russian interference and voter fraud. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Balkan Service, click here.