Zakharova commented on the expulsion of insolent Navalnist ambassadors from the Russian Federation
The participation of employees of the consulates general of Sweden, Poland and the German Embassy in the Navalnist actions that took place on January 23 and 31 is not only interference in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation, but also a deliberate, conscious disrespect for the laws and rules of the host state.
Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova stated this during a briefing, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
She noted that actions foreign ambassadors expelled from the Russian Federation were incompatible with the activities of diplomats and ran counter to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Zakharova recalled that in accordance with the Convention on Consular Relations with both Poland and Sweden, all persons enjoying privileges and immunities are obliged, without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state, and not to interfere with internal affairs of this state.
“I mentioned Sweden and Poland not because we have only two such conventions, but because we are talking about diplomats from these two countries, and Germany. In the commentary of the UN International Law Commission to the draft articles that formed the basis of the Vienna Convention of 1961, “participation in political campaigns” is cited as the most striking example of interference in internal affairs that violates the norms of diplomatic law,” the Foreign Ministry representative emphasized.
She also recalled that the actions of Navalnists on January 23 and 31 in Moscow and St. Petersburg were not approved by the authorities, as required by law. Moreover, the organizers of these actions publicly and consciously stated that they were not even going to coordinate them.
“They talked about how this is now their tactic, and they do it consciously and intentionally. Accordingly, their participants, including foreign diplomats and consular officials, were well aware that they were violating the laws of the host state,” Zakharova said.
She added that the ban on public events, temporarily introduced in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, was also violated, and foreign diplomats were well aware of this.
“Thus, the participation of employees of the consulates general of Sweden and Poland and the German Embassy in the actions that took place on January 23 and 31 represents not only interference in the internal affairs of the Russian Federation, but also a deliberate, conscious disrespect for the laws and rules of the host state.
We hope that part of the motivation for making the decision that I voiced will be conveyed to a wide Western audience by those media in the West that are following and actively commenting on this story,” Zakharova said.
At the same time, according to her, the excuses of the representatives of Poland and Sweden that their consular officials allegedly acted in the performance of their official duties are completely unfounded.
“Participation in political campaigns in the host State is not among the functions of consular officers (and diplomatic staff) as outlined in applicable international agreements.
Performing other functions is possible only if they do not contradict these agreements, as well as the legislation of the host state. In the case under consideration, there is a direct and obvious contradiction of both. This position has been brought to the attention of Berlin, Stockholm and Warsaw,” summed up the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
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