Zakharova commented on the release of Russians in Libya

28 October 2020

 

Contacts on the possible release of Russians detained in Libya Maxim Shugaley and Samer Sueifan intensified, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova told RIA Novosti.


Earlier, Bloomberg agency reported with reference to sources that the Libyan GNA would release two Russians detained in the country, they may be sent to Russia in the coming days.


"Contacts on this problem have intensified but it's too early to talk about any results," Zakharova said.


Earlier, it was reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry received written assurances from the GNA that the problem with the release of the staff of the Foundation for National Values Protection Shugaley and Sueifan from Libyan prison will be resolved in the near future. Sugaley and Sueifan were detained in Libya in May 2019. The head of the criminal investigation department under the Prosecutor General of Libya claimed that the Russians were detained in Tripoli for trying to influence the upcoming elections, these allegations were denied by the Russian side.


According to Alexander Malkevich, the head of the Foundation for the National Values  Protection and member of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, employees of the research group were engaged exclusively in sociological surveys, studying the humanitarian, cultural and political situation in the country. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for the speedy release of the detained Russians.

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry