Russian man arrested in Bosnia, alleged instructor of Moldovans

(ANSA) - SARAJEVO, NOV 16 - Bosnian police have arrested a Russian citizen suspected of being one of the instructors who allegedly gave theoretical training to groups of Moldovan citizens at a training camp near Banja Luka, capital of Republika Srpska (Rs), the Serb-majority entity of Bosnia-Herzegovimna (BiH). The arrest, ANSA has learned, took place in the area of Bihac and Bosanska Krupa, in northwestern BiH close to the border with Croatia. Aleksandr Bezrukhovny, this is the name of the arrested Russian, has reportedly been under surveillance by Bosnian security and intelligence services for some time. Wanted by Interpol, he was stopped as he was probably preparing to leave Bosnia-Herzegovina. A work permit issued by Spanish authorities was found in his possession. In recent times there have been alternating confirmations and denials on reports of the existence on the territory of the Rs of training and educational camps for Moldovan citizens by Russian instructors. Not military camps, but places of 'theoretical' teaching on organization and behavior at rallies and events. News these regularly denied by the Bosnian Serb leadership, starting with Milorad Dodik, Bosnian Serb leader and president of the Rs, whose pro-Russian positions and friendship with President Vladimir Putin are well known. According to reports leaked in recent weeks, Moldovan police are reportedly investigating about 100 young men who allegedly received 'theoretical' training in Russia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
    Last month Moldova's intelligence services also reportedly identified 11 foreign nationals active as instructors and assistants in camps in Serbia and BiH. Moldovan police for their part have allegedly released footage of such alleged training sessions in camps in Russia, Serbia and BiH in which young people are seen engaged in simulated protests, chanting slogans such as 'our language is Russian,' 'no dual citizenship,' 'we don't want Europe.' The videos would also show young people intent on learning how to make explosives and use drones. A reference evidently to Transnistria, a pro-Russian region of Moldova that proclaimed itself independent in 1990.
    Such a network of camps and instructors is said to have been financed by Ilan Shor, a fugitive pro-Russian oligarch wanted in Moldova for his involvement in the theft in recent years of some $1 billion from the former Soviet republic's banking system.
    (ANSA).