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No Russian citizens staying in or near area of attack by militants in Algeria

The Russian diplomatic mission is following closely the development of the current situation

RABAT, January 17 (Itar-Tass) – No Russian citizens are staying in or near the area, where the militants delivered an attack in Algeria, the Russian Embassy in Algeria told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

The Russian diplomatic mission “is following closely the development of the current situation,” the diplomat said.

“The current situation has no connection with the Russian Embassy,” press attach· of the Russian Embassy Sergei Spassky told Itar-Tass by phone earlier. “The current events are taking place in south-eastern Algeria, 100 kilometres away from the Lebanese capital and 1,200 kilometres away from the Algerian capital,” Spassky said. “At present it is absolutely clear that there are no Russian citizens among captured people or in the neighbouring districts. We are following the development of the current situation, but do not impose any additional security measures,” Spassky confirmed.

On Wednesday, the armed group of extremists attacked the gas facility In Amenas (region Tiguentourine, eastern province Illizi) in Algeria, taking hostage several tens of foreign citizens, who were working at the gas facility.

The local media reported that the criminals demand from the Algerian authorities to refuse from the permission, which France granted earlier to use the air space of the country for the transit flights to Mali, where the French contingent is carrying out an operation against the Islamic militants, as well as the release of their accomplices from the prisons, where the latter are serving the sentence for terrorism.