The President of Tatarstan was not allowed to enter the Republic of Moldova. Border Police clarifications
The leader of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Russian Federation, Rustam Minnihanov, says he was not allowed to enter the territory of the Republic of Moldova today because he had been declared persona non grata. He was due to attend a congress in Comrat at the invitation of Gagauz People's Assembly deputy Victor Petrov, a candidate for Gagauz autonomy.
Rustam Minihanov, who filmed himself on the plane and claims that the video was taken at Chisinau International Airport, says he had planned an extensive programme in our country but was banned from entering Moldova.
Border Police representatives stress in a press release that the statements of the Russian official recently returned from our country that he was declared "persona non-grata" in Moldova are false. The Border Police also state that "supporting a candidate in local elections in our country is not a valid reason for the visit" and recall that the authorities have asked Russian officials to refrain from interference in the internal affairs of our country.
Victor Petrov, who is running for Gagauz autonomy's Bashkan in the elections to be held on 30 April, visited Russia a month ago before the election campaign began. He announced on social media at the time that he had also met Tatarstan President Rustam Minnihanov in Kazan.
