Russia expels three Moldovan diplomats in tit-for-tat move

MOSCOW: Russia on Friday ordered the expulsion of three Moldovan diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after Chisinau kicked out Russian embassy officials accused of helping a pro-Moscow MP avoid justice.

Moldova’s pro-EU authorities have repeatedly accused Russia of trying to destabilise the former Soviet republic, including by interfering in government institutions and elections. The country’s security service last month expelled three Russian diplomats after it accused Moscow’s embassy of helping lawmaker Alexandr Nesterovschi -- who was facing years in prison -- flee to the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transnistria. Russia on Friday rejected the claims and said it was kicking out three Moldovan diplomats in retaliation.