Moscow called for immediate access of diplomats to the Russians detained in Belarus and expects a balanced objective approach of Minsk to establish all the circumstances of their detention. This is stated in a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, published on the agency’s website on July 30.
“As of today, we know that the specified group followed in transit through Minsk to Istanbul, having on hand all the necessary documents, including air tickets,” the Foreign Ministry noted. Logistics in the republic was provided by a Belarusian company.
However, the group did not get on its Minsk-Istanbul flight and stayed in Belarus awaiting the purchase of new air tickets by the Belarusian company, the Foreign Ministry added.
The Foreign Ministry stressed the need to stop whipping up unnecessary and negative emotions.
Earlier on Thursday, it was reported that the Russians detained in Belarus may be employees of a private security company, said in a statement by the Russian Ambassador to Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev.
The day before, the Belarusian media reported that 32 employees of a foreign private military company were detained near Minsk. The head of the State Security Committee of Belarus, Valery Vakulchik, specified that the detainees were employees of the Wagner PMC. The events were linked to the alleged arrival of more than 200 people in Belarus “to destabilize the situation during the election campaign.” The detainees are suspected of preparing a terrorist attack, a criminal case has been opened against them.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko instructed to contact the relevant structures of Russia for clarifications in connection with the incident.
The Belarusian Foreign Ministry notified the Russian embassy in Minsk about the arrest of the Russians. Russian Ambassador Dmitry Mezentsev was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.