CHISINAU, Moldova — A Tajikistan nationwide who was denied entry into Moldova at its predominant worldwide airport grabbed a guard’s weapon and fatally shot two safety officers Friday, officers stated. One traveler additionally was wounded.
The suspect was being escorted by officers at Chisinau Worldwide Airport when he “took the gun of a border guard” and opened hearth, authorities stated. Particular forces then intervened, subdued the person and handcuffed him, leaving him severely injured. All passengers have been evacuated from the airport.
Moldova’s Prime Minister Dorin Recean stated in a press release that the suspect was from Tajikistan. He stated a wounded passenger was being handled by docs.
Moldova’s appearing Prosecutor Common Ion Munteanu advised journalists late Friday that the suspect had arrived from Istanbul, Turkey. He stated the Tajik nationwide was being handled in hospital for “critical accidents” sustained whereas being detained, and that he was underneath police supervision.
Prosecutors are investigating the incident as a attainable terrorist assault, Munteanu added.
Moldova’s President Maia Sandu stated that the 2 individuals killed have been a border police officer and an airport safety worker.
“We ship our honest condolences to the bereaved households and kinfolk, the lack of family members is a superb ache for the households,” Sandu wrote in a press release on Fb. “It’s a tragic day for all of us.”
State establishments have been placed on excessive alert, Sandu stated, and that “police and legislation enforcement companies are mobilized all through the Republic of Moldova” in response to the incident.
Moldova’s Ministry of Inside Affairs stated in a separate assertion that the victims “misplaced their lives whereas performing their duties” and that authorities “took care to guard the civilians who have been within the hazard zone.”
“The aggressor shall be held accountable by legislation enforcement companies that opened a felony investigation file on the case,” the ministry stated, including that an investigation is being launched by the Prosecutor Common’s Workplace.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, neighboring Moldova — a rustic with a inhabitants of about 2.6 million individuals, and a European Union candidate since June 2022 — has confronted a protracted checklist of crises.
These embody an acute winter vitality disaster after Russia dramatically diminished fuel provides and recurring anti-government protests organized by a Russia-friendly political celebration towards the ruling pro-Western administration.
Moldova’s leaders have additionally repeatedly accused Moscow of conducting campaigns to attempt to destabilize the nation, which was a Soviet republic till 1991.