The US Department of State came up with statement about Russia's plans to interrogate two American diplomats, RIA Novosti reported.
It was previously reported that US diplomats Jeffrey Sillin and David Bernstein would be interrogated in an espionage case involving a former employee of the US Consulate General in Vladivostok Robert Shonov.
The State Department urged Moscow to ensure the implementation of obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. In a statement, the department says that the document obliges to treat diplomats «with due respect», as well as to ensure all necessary measures against attacks on the person, freedom or dignity.
The US State Department once again said that the accusations against Shonov are «groundless». It is indicated that he allegedly worked in accordance with Russian law, and his company cooperated with the US Embassy under a service agreement.
The FSB of Russia said that Shonov had been collecting information on the progress since September 2022 mobilization in the Russian regions, as well as problems in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and their impact on the protest activity of the population on the eve of the presidential elections in the Russian Federation in 2024. He passed the information he received to the political department of the US Embassy in Moscow to Jeffrey Sillin and David Bernstein. It is noted that Shonov received money for this work.