“The odious interpretation of the detention of 33 Russian citizens by the Belarusian side does not stand up to criticism. As of today, we know that the specified group followed in transit through Minsk to Istanbul, having in hand all the necessary documents, including air tickets, ”the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary.
It is noted that the entire logistics of the movement of Russians on the territory of the republic was provided by a Belarusian company. The group did not get on the Minsk - Istanbul flight and had to stay in Belarus pending the purchase of new air tickets.
"An attempt to present what happened as external interference in the affairs of the republic is at least bewildering ... It is necessary to stop whipping up unnecessary negative emotions, especially during the presidential elections," the Foreign Ministry said.
The ministry added that the Belarusian authorities have all the necessary documents to establish the truth.
On July 29, the state Belarusian news agency BelTA announced the arrest of 33 Russians in Belarus. The Russians detained in Belarus are suspected of preparing riots. As reported in the Investigative Committee of the republic, at the moment the issue of their arrest is being decided.
The Russian Ambassador to Minsk Dmitry Mezentsev considers the reports of alleged interference of the Russians detained in Belarus in the internal politics of the republic groundless.
Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow expects to receive comprehensive information from Minsk about the detention of Russians in Belarus.