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| Searches begin at shut Russian diplomatic properties in US (VIDEOS) | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The FBI has started searches at the Russian diplomatic compounds in the US, Russia's Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova said on Facebook, promising that diplomats would be posting photo and video evidence of what she called a “travesty of justice.” | The FBI has started searches at the Russian diplomatic compounds in the US, Russia's Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova said on Facebook, promising that diplomats would be posting photo and video evidence of what she called a “travesty of justice.” |
| The first such posts, from the shut San Francisco consulate, have appeared on the Russian foreign ministry's official Facebook page. | The first such posts, from the shut San Francisco consulate, have appeared on the Russian foreign ministry's official Facebook page. |
| One of the videos shows a man climbing a ladder to apparently check inside the ventilation system. | One of the videos shows a man climbing a ladder to apparently check inside the ventilation system. |
| A description of the video from the trade mission in DC says US authorities “have invaded Russian diplomatic facilities & are conducting an ‘examination’ of the premises." | A description of the video from the trade mission in DC says US authorities “have invaded Russian diplomatic facilities & are conducting an ‘examination’ of the premises." |
| Earlier, Russian embassy’s spokesman, Nikolay Lakhonin told media that the searches at Russia's diplomatic facilities would start immediately after them being closed to personnel at 14:00 (local time) (18:00 GMT). The operation would be carried out under the auspices of the US State Department, he added. | Earlier, Russian embassy’s spokesman, Nikolay Lakhonin told media that the searches at Russia's diplomatic facilities would start immediately after them being closed to personnel at 14:00 (local time) (18:00 GMT). The operation would be carried out under the auspices of the US State Department, he added. |
| Russian embassy staff were allowed to be present during the search following an “insistent demand,” Lakhonin said. | Russian embassy staff were allowed to be present during the search following an “insistent demand,” Lakhonin said. |
| The head of the Russian trade mission in the US, Aleksandr Stadnik, told journalists that he considers the searches at the compounds as a takeover in violation of international law. He confirmed that the US authorities lifted diplomatic immunity from the trade mission compound in Washington, DC. | The head of the Russian trade mission in the US, Aleksandr Stadnik, told journalists that he considers the searches at the compounds as a takeover in violation of international law. He confirmed that the US authorities lifted diplomatic immunity from the trade mission compound in Washington, DC. |
| The trade mission would continue its work at the Russian embassy in Washington, Stadnik said. | The trade mission would continue its work at the Russian embassy in Washington, Stadnik said. |
| The Trump administration ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate in San Francisco as well as the two annexes in Washington and New York on August 31. | The Trump administration ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate in San Francisco as well as the two annexes in Washington and New York on August 31. |
| On Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the FBI was planning to search the general consulate premises, including homes of diplomatic staff, which would violate diplomatic immunity. | On Friday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the FBI was planning to search the general consulate premises, including homes of diplomatic staff, which would violate diplomatic immunity. |
| On Saturday, Russia summoned the deputy chief of mission of the US Embassy in Moscow to lodge a note of protest over US plans to search the Russian trade mission in Washington. | On Saturday, Russia summoned the deputy chief of mission of the US Embassy in Moscow to lodge a note of protest over US plans to search the Russian trade mission in Washington. |
| Moscow said it considers the inspections “an aggressive action,” which could also be used by US intelligence to “orchestrate an anti-Russian provocation by planting compromising items.” | Moscow said it considers the inspections “an aggressive action,” which could also be used by US intelligence to “orchestrate an anti-Russian provocation by planting compromising items.” |
| READ MORE: Moscow hands in note of protest to US over plan to search trade mission in Washington | READ MORE: Moscow hands in note of protest to US over plan to search trade mission in Washington |