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Russian national detained in Moldova on suspicion of organizing separatist movement

Activists of the Ukrainian organization Popular Rada of Bessarabia announced plans to seek the establishment of the Budjak republic in October 2015

CHISINAU, November 15. /TASS/. A Russian national has been detained in Moldova on suspicion of being involved in the establishment of a separatist movement, Moldovan prosecutor Artur Syrku said on Sunday.

"It is a Russian national. He is suspected of establishing a separatist anti-government movement Budjak," he said, adding that the man, a Russian customs officer, had been detained for 72 hours at the Chisinau international airport.

"The Russia diplomatic mission has received no official information about the detention of the Russian citizen," spokesman for the Russian embassy in Moldova Anatoly Loshakov told TASS.

Meanwhile, Moldovan prosecutors claim the man had organized a group in Moldova that was tasked to popularize the idea of creating a Budjak republic. "This organization is active in Moldova’s south, in the cities of Taraclia and Comrat," Syrku said.

Activists of the Ukrainian organization Popular Rada of Bessarabia announced plans to seek the establishment of the Budjak republic in October 2015. The establishment of this republic would require unification of some of Ukrainian territories with the Gagauz Autonomy in Moldova.

Bessarabia is a historic area in southeastern Europe sandwitched between the Black Sea and the rivers Danube, Prut and Dniester.