China News Agency, Moscow, August 3 (Reporter Wang Xiujun) Regarding the detention of 33 Russian citizens by Belarus, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Rudenko held talks with Belarusian Ambassador to Russia Semashko on the 3rd. After the talks, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the detention of Russian citizens by Belarus is groundless and that this is not in line with the relationship between the two countries' alliances.
According to the news, Russia has never interfered and has no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, especially Belarus, its closest friend. The Russian side insists that both Russia and Belarus cooperate closely to conduct a comprehensive and objective investigation of the incident and release the detained Russian citizens as soon as possible.
Pletnev, consul of the Russian Embassy in Belarus, had previously met with detained Russian citizens. On the 3rd, Pletnev emphasized to the outside world that every detainee firmly stated that they entered Belarus for transit. They plan to fly from Belarus to Istanbul, Turkey, and their final destination is Latin American countries.
On August 9, Belarus will hold presidential elections. On July 29, the Belarusian News Agency announced that the Belarusian law-guarding agency had detained 33 armed Russian personnel who attempted to carry out sabotage activities before the Belarusian presidential election. Since then, the Belarusian police released information that every detainee had been questioned by the police in the presence of a lawyer, and the detainees’ confessions were inconsistent and inconsistent with each other. At present, Belarus has filed a criminal case for "planning a terrorist attack." If convicted, they can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. (Finish)