The president of Moldova Maia Sandu has warned that her country's independence and European future are in danger after police arrested dozens of people accused of involvement in a plot to stoke violent disorder, allegedly backed by Russia.
Just days before Sunday's pivotal parliamentary elections, Moldovan police said they had confiscated weapons and explosives in raids across the country.
They allege some of the 74 detainees had travelled to Serbia for training by Russian instructors, including with firearms.
Addressing the nation, President Sandu accused the Kremlin of "pouring hundreds of millions of euros" into Moldova in an attempt to foment violence and spread disinformation and fear.
"The Kremlin believes that we are all for sale. That we are too small to resist. That we are not a country, only a territory," the president declared, pointing to Russian involvement at the highest level.
