MOSCOW/TOKYO: Russia’s FSB safety company mentioned on Monday it had detained a Japanese consul in Russia’s Pacific port metropolis of Vladivostok for suspected espionage and ordered him to depart the nation.
The consul was launched after a number of hours of detention by the Russian company. Tokyo has lodged a “sturdy protest” concerning the detention and signalled it could retaliate, Japan’s Chief Cupboard Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno informed a media briefing on Tuesday.
The FSB mentioned the consul, Motoki Tatsunori, was declared persona non grata after he was caught “red-handed” receiving secret data on the consequences of Western sanctions on the financial state of affairs in Russia’s far east.
It mentioned the labeled data, which additionally involved Russia’s cooperation with an unnamed Asia-Pacific nation, had been obtained in return for a “financial reward”.
Moscow has protested to Tokyo over the consul’s actions via diplomatic channels, it mentioned.
Japan’s high authorities spokesperson Matsuno mentioned Moscow took the consul into custody in an “intimidating method” blindfolding and restraining him, which was “a transparent violation of the Vienna Conference on Diplomatic Relations”.
“The detained consul was not participating in any criminal activity,” Matsuno mentioned, including the Japanese deputy overseas minister informed the Russian ambassador to Japan that Tokyo “must take equal steps” and demanded a proper apology from Moscow.
The launched consul has had no drawback with well being circumstances and can depart Russia by Wednesday, Matsuno mentioned.
The consul was launched after a number of hours of detention by the Russian company. Tokyo has lodged a “sturdy protest” concerning the detention and signalled it could retaliate, Japan’s Chief Cupboard Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno informed a media briefing on Tuesday.
The FSB mentioned the consul, Motoki Tatsunori, was declared persona non grata after he was caught “red-handed” receiving secret data on the consequences of Western sanctions on the financial state of affairs in Russia’s far east.
It mentioned the labeled data, which additionally involved Russia’s cooperation with an unnamed Asia-Pacific nation, had been obtained in return for a “financial reward”.
Moscow has protested to Tokyo over the consul’s actions via diplomatic channels, it mentioned.
Japan’s high authorities spokesperson Matsuno mentioned Moscow took the consul into custody in an “intimidating method” blindfolding and restraining him, which was “a transparent violation of the Vienna Conference on Diplomatic Relations”.
“The detained consul was not participating in any criminal activity,” Matsuno mentioned, including the Japanese deputy overseas minister informed the Russian ambassador to Japan that Tokyo “must take equal steps” and demanded a proper apology from Moscow.
The launched consul has had no drawback with well being circumstances and can depart Russia by Wednesday, Matsuno mentioned.
