Updated

Moldova's Security and Intelligence Service said on November 12 that it had arrested a suspect accused of gathering information on state institutions for Russian intelligence. Newsmaker, citing the SIS, reported that the suspect was remanded in custody. The SIS said the person may have cooperated with Russian secret services through intermediaries in unconstitutional security structures in the unrecognised region of Transnistria, and was allegedly recruited to obtain information on state institutions, mainly those responsible for national security. Ukrainska Pravda reported the arrest. According to the SIS, the suspect allegedly acted on specific instructions to learn what state institutions knew about foreign intelligence activity on Moldovan territory, how aware authorities were of those operations, and what measures national institutions had taken. Criminal proceedings for unauthorised collection of information have been opened, and investigators are continuing to establish all the circumstances and identify other people involved. Ukrainska Pravda also noted earlier reporting that the SIS had detected Russian preparations to intensify influence ahead of the country's upcoming elections.