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Moscow expects impartial investigation into Russian nationals in Philippines

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has thanked his Filipino counterparts for providing consular access for the Russian nationals

MOSCOW, December 5. /TASS/. Moscow expects an impartial investigation to be conducted into two Russian nationals arrested in the Philippines on drug trafficking charges, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after meeting with his Philippine counterpart Perfecto Yasay Jr.

"Our embassy has been in contact with Filipino law enforcement agencies," Lavrov noted. "We have been keeping an eye on the investigation and expect it to be impartial."

Lavrov thanked his Filipino counterparts for providing consular access for the Russian nationals. "We always discuss with our counterparts any incidents involving Russian nationals," he said. "In this case, both our fellow citizens have been charged with trafficking a significant amount of drugs."

"The laws of the Philippines should be respected," the Russian top diplomat went on to say. "Our foreign ministry and other related agencies publish warnings on their websites urging travelers to study the laws of the country they are going to visit. It is easy to take into consideration the drug transportation ban as it is universal and effective all over the world."