Moldovan Ex-Spy Arrested in Romania for Espionage for Belarus

Alexandru Bălan, the former deputy head of Moldova’s Security and Intelligence Service (SIS), was arrested in Bucharest on espionage charges for Belarus. The 47-year-old dual Moldovan-Romanian citizen is accused of leaking classified information to Belarusian KGB officers during covert meetings in Budapest between 2024 and 2025.

Authorities allege that Bălan targeted Romanian diplomats in Chișinău and made attempts to recruit agents for Russian intelligence on Romanian territory. His arrest was the result of a coordinated operation involving Romanian, Moldovan, Hungarian, and Czech authorities, with support from Eurojust.

This incident has raised significant concerns regarding national security in Romania, as it highlights vulnerabilities in the intelligence community. Bălan"s actions, if proven true, could have far-reaching implications for diplomatic relations in the region.

As previously reported, espionage activities in Eastern Europe have increased, with various nations grappling with similar situations involving intelligence breaches. The case against Bălan may lead to further investigations and heightened security measures in Romania and its neighboring countries.