Russia Summons Czech Diplomat Over Legal Violation

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today that it has summoned the Czech Republic's Charge d'Affaires in Russia, Jan Ondrik, to the ministry headquarters due to a violation of Russian law by a member of the Czech embassy staff.

According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, reported by Sputnik, "On July 29, the Charge d'Affaires of the Czech Republic in Russia, Jan Ondrik, was summoned to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A strong protest was expressed regarding the violation of Russian laws by a member of the administrative and technical staff of the Czech embassy in Russia, involving an attempt to smuggle unauthorized active substances that are harmful and potentially lethal."

The statement continued, "The Czech side was asked to waive the diplomatic immunity of the embassy staff member in question to allow for prosecution under Russian criminal law. If this request is not met, the staff member will be required to leave Russian territory."