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Foreign Ministry supports fund for help to Russians in distress abroad

Moscow "has noted the initiative put forth by Alla Bout"

MOSCOW, October 17 (Itar-Tass) —— The Russian Foreign Ministry supported the idea of creating a fund for help to Russians who have been arrested, convicted or jailed abroad.

Moscow “has noted the initiative put forth by Alla Bout, the wife of Viktor Bout who is serving his prison term in the United States”, the ministry said on Wednesday, October 17.

“In a preliminary way since we have no concrete information about her plans, we would like to say that we support the creation of such a fund,” the ministry said.

“We have too often seen prosecution of Russians on totally far-fetched charges lately with complete disregard for the legal procedures,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said. “Incidents when foreign ‘law enforcers’ basically abducted our citizens are well known. In this situation arrested Russian citizens need qualified legal assistance particularly badly, and it is our understanding that the fund will be created for the purpose of providing such assistance,” the spokesperson said.

“In our opinion, it can effectively supplement the existing Fund for Support and Protection of the Rights of Compatriots Permanently Living Abroad”, he added.

“Irrespective of when the fund being created by Alla Bout starts working, Russian citizens in trouble will always get maximum assistance from embassies and consulates,” Lukashevich said.

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