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Russia-Netherlands relations

Dutch police officers face no action after incident with Russian diplomat

Previously Russia expressed hope to receive explanations from the Netherlands over the incident

Photo EPA/ LEX VAN LIESHOUT

Photo EPA/ LEX VAN LIESHOUT

The Hague (ITAR-TASS) – Dutch police officers which took part in the incident involving Russian diplomat Dmitry Borodin will not face punitive measures, said Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans on Friday.

Earlier on Friday, the Netherlands admitted that Vienna Convention diplomatic relations provisions had been violated over detention and arrest of Russian diplomat Dmitry Borodin, Russia’s foreign ministry reported on Friday.

“It (the note) confirms the arrest and detention of the Russian diplomat, enjoying personal diplomatic immunity, is a violation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands of its obligations under provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. In this regard, the Netherlands offers its apologises to the Russian Federation,” the foreign ministry said.

Russia expressed hope to receive explanations from the Netherlands over the incident with Russian diplomat Dmitry Borodin before the end of this week, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Aleksander Lukashevich told a news briefing on Thursday.

October 6, Minister-Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in the Netherlands Dmitry Borodin was attacked in his flat in The Hague.

People in police uniform called up to him in his flat ‘under the false pretext’ overnight to Sunday. Borodin noted that they had not produced any identity cards that verify they were policemen.

“They said that the neighbours had allegedly informed about bad attitude to children in this flat. I have two children - a four-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son,” the diplomat said. Borodin noted that he warned the offenders about his diplomatic status and tried to prevent them from breaking in the flat. However, the attackers have brought him on the floor and have put handcuffs on him. “I was also hit by a stick on the head,” he noted.

Russian top officials expressed their concern over this incident. Russia's embassy to the Netherlands issued a statement as well: "The unacceptable treatment of police officers towards the diplomatic agent is a harsh violation of international law, including the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."

October 9 Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans offered apologies to Russia over the incident with Russian diplomat Dmitry Borodin.

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