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Russian diplomat accuses West of using Interpol for political agenda against Russia

Zakharova noted that Interpol’s 2022 decision contradicts a statement from the organization’s secretary general, Jurgen Stock, on Interpol’s readiness to render support to the Russian authorities in the investigation

MOSCOW, March 27. /TASS/. The West is trying to suck Interpol into its political agenda and get it to exclude Russia from this organization, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

The Russian diplomat referred to a 2022 decision from the Interpol Executive Committee, when the organization opted to impose restrictive measures on data exchange regarding Russia.

"Such measures once again confirm that Interpol is being constantly wrangled into the West’s political games, which aims at disconnecting Russia from Interpol’s information sources and to eventually strip the country of membership in the organization," she said.

Zakharova noted that Interpol’s 2022 decision contradicts a statement from the organization’s secretary general, Jurgen Stock, on Interpol’s readiness to render support to the Russian authorities in the investigation into the deadly terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall music venue.

"We will definitely back everything said by Jurgen Stock regarding what is required [to help], and about the organization’s [Interpol] willingness to support the investigation by sharing information," Zakharova added.

The Interpol chief stated earlier on his X (banned in Russia and formerly known as Twitter) social website account: "I strongly condemn the attack at Crocus City Hall, which was a terrible act against innocent civilians. Interpol is ready to provide support to the investigation by Russian authorities."

On the evening of March 22, a terrorist attack targeted the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, just over the Moscow city limits. The current death toll is 140. According to the latest information, 360 people were injured. Of those, 260 have received outpatient treatment.

Eleven individuals suspected of being involved in the terrorist attack have been apprehended, including four gunmen who were detained in the Bryansk Region, southwest of Moscow, as they attempted to seek refuge by crossing the nearby Ukrainian border.

President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that, according to preliminary information, the Ukrainian side had prepared "a window" in the border especially for the terrorists to cross undetected. He promised to identify and punish all those who were behind the attack on Crocus City Hall.

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