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Russia-Netherlands relations

Russia hopes for explanation of beating of diplomat Borodin in the Netherlands

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesman also hopes that the Netherlands will study possible consequences of illegal actions against Borodin

© ITAR-TASS/Grigory Sysoev

MOSCOW, October 10 (Itar-Tass) - Russia hopes 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.

“We expect detailed explanations of the incident from Dutch partners,” the diplomat said. “We will hope that this may be done to us in an official reciprocal note with explanations and a theory of the incident from the Dutch side soon. We would like to hope that this will happen before the end of this week,” he said.

He also added Russia hopes that the Netherlands would analyze correctly possible consequences of illegal actions against Borodin and would find a solution that would not deteriorate bilateral relations.

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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