Former Moldovan General Staff Chief Faces Treason Charges Linked to Russian Espionage

Igor Gorgan, the former head of the Moldovan National Army's General Staff, has been charged in a case related to treason. A spokesperson for the Prosecutor's Office for Combatting Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) stated to TV8 that the individual involved in the criminal case announced on June 13 appears before authorities when summoned.

"The person mentioned in the previously announced case by PCCOCS prosecutors has been assigned the status of defendant. The criminal investigation is ongoing, and the individual enjoys the presumption of innocence until a final court ruling, according to the law," said Emil Gaitur.

The investigation by The Insider revealed that General Igor Gorgan allegedly called for Russians to invade the Republic of Moldova. This occurred after he was dismissed from his position as head of the General Staff. The appeal was reportedly made through a Russian agent, to whom Gorgan provided information about the army's equipment and its relationship with Ukraine.

Gorgan served as the head of the General Staff from 2013 but was dismissed three years later after a conflict with then-Minister of Defense Anatol Șalaru, who accused him of embezzlement, nepotism, and political partisanship. Gorgan returned to the position in 2019 after Igor Dodon won the presidential elections but lost the post when Maia Sandu became president.

In July 2023, Gorgan was hired by the UN agency in Chișinău to address issues related to Ukrainian refugees. Following the scandal, he was placed on "administrative leave" pending the outcome of an internal investigation initiated by UNHCR.

Today, the government requested the dismissal of Eduard Ohladciuc from his position as head of the National Army's General Staff. The request was submitted to President Maia Sandu, who is expected to make a decision on the matter. The Ministry of Defense specified that the proposal for dismissal is related to the expiration of Ohladciuc's military service contract.

Ohladciuc was appointed to this position in November 2021 after Gorgan's dismissal. During the years 2015 and 2016, when the army was led by Gorgan, Ohladciuc served as his deputy.

Following the investigation's release, the Moldovan presidential administration announced the revocation of Igor Gorgan's state awards and military ranks. In response, the Moldovan prosecutor's office initiated a criminal case concerning the transfer of sensitive data related to national defense. Gorgan, however, denies all charges against him.