Соединенные Штаты Америки (США)
Comment of the Russian MFA Press and Information Department Concerning the Situation around Russian Citizen Konstantin Yaroshenko
On May 28, in Monrovia, Liberia, US Drug Enforcement Administration agents in conjunction with local police apprehended a Russian citizen, transport aviation pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, who was then transferred to the US and is currently being held at prison in New York.
The Russian side is firmly convinced that such actions directly violate the relevant rules of international law, the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 and the bilateral consular convention of 1964. Effectively, we're talking about a kidnapping of a Russian citizen from a third country. In addition, US authorities have not informed the Russian diplomatic missions about Yaroshenko's detention. The actions of US special services in the forcible and secret relocation of our citizen from Monrovia to New York could only be seen as open lawlessness.
The Russian Embassy in Washington and Consulate General in New York are closely monitoring the situation, and the court proceedings being conducted by US authorities, to ensure the rights of our citizen are observed. Constant contact is being maintained with Konstantin Yaroshenko. At the request of his relatives, who are not satisfied with the formal actions of a lawyer appointed by the US side, the Consulate General in New York has found an experienced local Russian-speaking lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
On June 28 the Russian Embassy sent an official note to the US State Department, demanding that it give an exhaustive explanation of the actions of US authorities toward Konstantin Yaroshenko.
On July 8, as the Russian Ambassador met with US Under Secretary of State William Burns in Washington, an appropriate representation was made to the American side, particularly highlighting the need for strict observance of the procedural rights of our compatriot. It was stressed that while the US State Department in its reports teaches the world how to respect human rights, American special services are engaged in real kidnappings abroad.
On July 14 the Russian MFA summoned US Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle to tell him that the actions undertaken by American authorities to apprehend and illegally transport Konstantin Yaroshenko to the territory of the US were inadmissible.
The Russian Foreign Ministry keeps the matter under close scrutiny.
July 21, 2010
