Polish ambassador to Russia targeted in St Petersburg attack
Krzysztof Krajewski, the Polish ambassador to Russia, told PAP on Thursday that he was the intended target of an assault by a "group of so-called activists" on a prominent boulevard in St. Petersburg, Russia.
"Another hostile act was committed against me and the staff of the (diplomatic - PAP) facility," Krajewski said. "As I was walking down the main street, Nevsky Prospekt, a group of so-called activists, well organised and led by people from outside the group, verbally attacked me, shouting anti-Polish and anti-Ukrainian slogans and attempted to physically attack me."
The diplomat added that due to the "professionalism" of the embassy staff, the attack "was averted."
Krajewski described the incident as a "premeditated attack," noting that encountering an organised group carrying banners on the street could not be considered accidental. He also confirmed that he had sent a formal note of protest to the Russian government. The incident was first reported by Poland's Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper on Thursday.
Poland's Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz addressed the situation on Thursday at a press briefing in Slupsk, northern Poland, calling it "yet another crossing of the line" and describing the perpetrators as "trained, hand-picked individuals" whose objective was provocation.
"This is a scandalous behaviour that violates all diplomatic norms. We will demand full compliance with international law, respect for diplomatic rules and the safety of Polish diplomatic representatives," the minister said.
Kosiniak-Kamysz added that Russia continues to breach international law and shows no interest in normalising its international relations. While Moscow frequently declares its willingness to take responsible action, reality "stands in stark contrast to its pledges," he said.
"...But in practice, there is constant provocation: acts of sabotage, airspace violations, GPS jamming," he said.
Later on Thursday, Maciej Wewior, spokesperson for the Polish foreign ministry, reported that Russia's chargé d'affaires to Poland, Andrei Ordash, was summoned on Wednesday over the incident, which he subsequently condemned.
The call-in also concerned the closing of the last Russian consulate in the country and Russia's removal of commemorative plaques from a Polish memorial in the Katyn cemetery.(PAP)
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