Russia responds to MP assistant spying row
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Russia has accused "influential forces" in the UK of trying to sabotage relations between the two countries.
Responding to the arrest and detention of alleged spy Ekaterina Zatuliveter, the Russian foreign ministry urged Britain to prove with "concrete acts" its commitment to improving co-operation between London and Moscow.
Miss Zatuliveter, 25, is facing deportation from the UK amid suspicions that she used her position as an assistant to MP Mike Hancock to pass documents to Russian intelligence.
Russian diplomats have been pressing for information from the Foreign Office and Home Office about why she is being held.
In a sign of Moscow's anger at her treatment in the UK, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement: "As for the eagerness with which some media in the UK are trying to stage a vaudeville about the worn-out spy plot, this cannot fail to awaken pity.
"We have no illusions that in Britain there are and will be highly influential forces, who are not interested in the normalisation of Russian-British relations.
"We hope, however, that the London Government's stated policy of improving bilateral co-operation will be reinforced by concrete acts."
Alexander Sternik, Russia's charge d'affaires in the UK, claimed last night that Britain had so far failed to provide information about the charges against Miss Zatuliveter.
Known as Katia, she has protested her innocence and says she is confident she will win an appeal against her deportation.
Her father, Andrei Zatuliveter, also criticised her treatment.
"I always thought that England was a democratic country. People cannot be detained for no reason," he told the BBC.
He added: "The most important thing now is for her appeal against deportation to be upheld.
"My daughter's name must be cleared. I believe that appeal will be successful."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments