(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 10 MAR - Moldova's parliament accused Russia's intelligence service of intimidating politicians, following an investigation into alleged money laundering by Russian officials, Ap reported. In a parliamentary statement, Russian intelligence is said to have "abusively stopped, interrogated and treated in a humiliating manner" 25 Moldovan lawmakers, intelligence officials, and pro-European politicians in recent months. Premier Pavel Filip met Russia's ambassador to Moldova, Farit Muhametsin to make an official complaint.

The harassment is said to have coincided with an ongoing probe into a $22 billion money laundering case involving money sent from Russia to the private Moldinconbank. Officials include the head of the National Anti-Corruption Center, Viorel Chetraru, detained for three hours at a Moscow airport in April 2016. He was headed to a meeting with Russian officials about money laundering. Deputy police chief Gheorghe Cavaliuc was also questioned in 2015. Violeta Ivanov, a lawmaker and deputy Interior Minister Oleg Babin were detained for questioning at a Moscow airport in Nov. Russia did not cooperate with the probe, according to the parliamentary statement. The government asked Moldovan officials to not make official visits to Russia until the issue was resolved. But Moldovan President Igor Dodon, who favors closer relations with Moscow, said he would go ahead with a visit to Russia next week, and was aware of the allegations of abuse which he called "dysfunctionalities". (ANSA).