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'Hostage held' at Russia embassy 'Hostages held' at Russia embassy
(20 minutes later)
An armed man has entered the Russian embassy in Costa Rica's capital, San Jose, and is believed to be holding several hostages, police say.An armed man has entered the Russian embassy in Costa Rica's capital, San Jose, and is believed to be holding several hostages, police say.
It is not clear whether Russian Ambassador Valery Nikolayenko or any other diplomat is among those thought to have been seized. It is not clear whether Ambassador Valery Nikolayenko or any other diplomat is among those seized.
Heavily armed police have surrounded the building and the streets leading to the embassy. Officials later said four hostages had been released but a number of others are still thought to be held. Police are continuing to surround the embassy. The identity of the gunman - believed to be from the ex-USSR - is not known.
The identity of the man - believed to be from Uzbekistan - is not known.
"My understanding is that it is a hostage seizure," Costa Rican Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency."My understanding is that it is a hostage seizure," Costa Rican Public Security Minister Fernando Berrocal was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
However, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency quoted unnamed Russian diplomats in Costa Rica as saying the incident was a quarrel between two visitors, not a hostage seizure. However, Russia's Itar-Tass news agency quoted unnamed Russian diplomats in Costa Rica as saying the incident was a quarrel between two visitors, not a hostage crisis.