MOSCOW, October 21. /TASS/. Russian diplomatic missions will be doing their utmost to protect the interests of Russian citizen Artyom Uss, detained in Italy, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Friday.
"Of course, our diplomatic missions will take part in protecting the interests of a Russian citizen. This is a mandatory practice. Everything that is possible will be done to this end," Peskov said.
"Of course, we are categorically against the practice of such arrests of Russian citizens and we condemn it. I repeat once again, we will be defending their interests," he added.
While answering an elaborative question about what such protection might imply, Peskov explained that the measures depended on each specific case.
"In each case, they [measures] are different. In some cases, arrested citizens turn to our diplomatic missions for help. In others they do not. Sometimes the services of a lawyer are needed. Sometimes those who get in trouble manage to find a lawyer on their own," Peskov said.
"Each situation is unique, but in any case, we try to protect the interests of every Russian citizen in a similar situation to the best of our ability," he concluded.
US authorities on Wednesday brought sanctions evasion and money laundering charges against five Russian citizens, including Artyom Uss, who was detained in Italy. The US Department of Justice said preparations for their extradition to the United States was underway. If found guilty, Uss and the other accused will face up to 30 years in prison. Earlier, the Russian embassy in Italy said that Uss had been detained at Milan Malpensa Airport.