Moscow spy’s attempt to infiltrate OSCE: Finnish Chairmanship takes note of probe

This was stated in a comment to Ukrinform by the spokesman for the Finnish Chairmanship of the OSCE, Toni Sandell.

"I understand that this raises interest. However, we are not in a position to comment on ongoing recruitment processes or individual candidates. We are of course aware of the article that you mention in your email," Sandell replied to Ukrinform’s enquiry for comment on the investigation done by Radio Liberty on Moscow's intention to appoint its spy as head of the OSCE mission in Serbia. 

As Ukrinform reported earlier, a journalistic investigation by Radio Liberty said Russian diplomat Dmitry Iordanidi, who had been recalled from Belgium over espionage accusations, is now nominated for the position of head of the OSCE mission in Serbia.

According to an internal OSCE document available to the editorial office, Moscow has nominated Dmitry Iordanidi for the position of head of the OSCE mission in Serbia. At the same time, Iordanidi is one of the 20 Russian diplomats who quietly left Brussels in 2023 due to accusations from the Belgian State Security Service (VSSE) of undercover espionage.

It is noted that Iordanidi, whom Belgian intelligence believes to be connected to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, was the only diplomat out of 20 who was not officially declared persona non grata as Moscow recalled him after "Belgium reported that Iordanidi would be declared persona non grata should Moscow fail to recall him.

According to documents available to Radio Liberty, Iordanidi was one of eight candidates for the position of head of the OSCE mission in Serbia after December 1, 2024, when the deadline for submitting applications expired. In addition, Russia also nominated him for the position of head of the OSCE program office in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek and for the same position in the Kazakh capital Astana.

Photo: crisisgroup.org