Belarusian representatives should objectively approach the establishment of the circumstances of the unjustified detention of Russian citizens in Minsk.
This is stated in a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
It should be reminded that on July 29, the state Belarusian news agency BelTA disseminated information that local security forces detained 33 Russian citizens as their behavior was “uncharacteristic for Russian tourists”.
Soon the secretary of the Security Council of the republic, Andrei Ravkov, made the detainees responsible for preparing the terrorist attack, although the next day the version was revised, accusing them of preparing mass riots. The head of the KGB of Belarus, Valery Vakulchik, in turn, stated that the Russians were allegedly fighters of the so-called “PMC Wagner”.
“The odious interpretation of the detention of 33 Russian citizens by the Belarusian side does not stand up to criticism,” the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the situation.
According to the ministry, the detainees traveled through Belarus in transit and had to fly from Minsk to Istanbul. They had the relevant documents on hand, including tickets. Moreover, a Belarusian company was involved in logistics issues. She also had to purchase new air tickets, since for an unknown reason at the moment, the group could not get on their flight.
“The attempt to present what happened as external interference in the affairs of the republic is at least bewildering. The Belarusian authorities, including the aviation authorities, have all the necessary documents to establish the truth, ” the Foreign Ministry said.
The diplomats called on the consular officers to immediately provide access to the unreasonably arrested citizens and “stop whipping up unnecessary, especially during the presidential elections, negative emotions.”
“We count on a balanced, objective approach of the Belarusian side to establishing all the circumstances of what happened in close cooperation with the Russian side,” the diplomatic department concluded.