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Putin Demands Apology From Netherlands


Demonstrators in the Russian city of Murmansk calling for the release of the crew of the "Arctic Sunrise"
Demonstrators in the Russian city of Murmansk calling for the release of the crew of the "Arctic Sunrise"
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow expects the Netherlands to offer an explanation and an apology for what Russia says was an attack on a Russian diplomat in The Hague and to punish those responsible.

Putin, in comments on October 8, said Russia will decide on its response depending on Dutch actions. Dutch authorities have not commented on the allegations.

Russia says that armed people in fatigues broke into Dmitry Borodin's apartment in The Hague on October 6 and beat him, claiming they had received complaints from neighbors that he was abusing his children.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says Borodin was then handcuffed and taken to a police station, where he was kept overnight despite his diplomatic status.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Aleksandr Lukashevich denounced the incident as a "gross violation" of international rules.

The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier the same day summoned the Dutch ambassador to Moscow over the alleged incident.

The charges come amid a standoff between Russia and the Netherlands over Moscow's seizure of the Greenpeace vessel "Arctic Sunrise," which was sailing under the Dutch flag.

The ship's crew of 30, including two Netherlands citizens, have been charged with piracy, and the Netherlands has threatened legal action.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS

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