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Oppositionist’s suicide in Rotterdam is not politically motivated – Russian diplomat

The motives behind the suicide are not known
Screenshot Russia 1
Screenshot Russia 1

THE HAGUE, January 18 (Itar-Tass) — The suicide of Russian oppositionist Alexander Dolmatov in Rotterdam was not politically motivated, the head of the consular department at the Russian Embassy to the Netherlands Alexander Bavykin said on Friday.

“Neither us nor the Dutch competent agencies see any political motivation in the suicide of The Other Russia movement activist Alexander Dolmatov,” he said.

Dolmatov committed suicide in a refugee centre in Rotterdam. According to Bavykin, the Dutch repatriation service reported to the Russian diplomatic mission about the death of Dolmatov and handed over copies of his documents.

“We have a copy of his passport. At the present time we are trying to contact Dolmatov’s relatives to inform them about what happened and settle the issue of sending his body to the homeland,” Bavykin said.

He stressed that the motives behind the suicide are not known, but according to early reports this can hardly be connected with the refusal of the Dutch side to grant him the refugee status or bad living conditions at the refugee centre.

According to Bavykin, Dolmatov had not appealed to the Russian Embassy or the Consulate. “Staffers of the consular department remain in constant touch with police and the Dutch Repatriation and Departure Service. We are waiting for more details,” the diplomat said.