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'Deep concern' for Council staff Russia warned over 'intimidation'
(41 minutes later)
The British Council has said it is "deeply concerned" for the safety of its staff in Russia, after they were questioned by the FSB security service. Foreign Secretary David Miliband has warned Russia that "intimidation" of British Council officials is "completely unacceptable".
A spokesman said Russian national staff in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg were summoned for FSB interviews and visited at home late on Tuesday night. The council is "deeply concerned" about its staff's safety after its employees were interviewed by security services and a director was detained by police.
Mr Miliband said the Russian ambassador in London would meet the head of the diplomatic service over the issue.
"Any intimidation or questioning of officials is completely unacceptable."
The British Council says it is "deeply concerned" for the safety of its staff, after it employees in Russia were called in for interviews with the FSB security service - and some were visited by Interior Ministry officials a their homes late last night.
Litvinenko row
Meanwhile St Petersburg office director Stephen Kinnock was followed, stopped and released by authorities on Tuesday.Meanwhile St Petersburg office director Stephen Kinnock was followed, stopped and released by authorities on Tuesday.
"We are deeply concerned by both these incidents," the spokesman added.
The British Council has been at the centre of a row between Russia and the UK, part of an ongoing dispute over the death of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned in London.
Summoned for interview
Russian authorities have ordered British Council offices outside Moscow be closed - Britain has refused.
Mr Kinnock - son of former Labour leader Neil - was held by the side of the road on Tuesday night and accused of going up a one-way street the wrong way and of smelling of alcohol. The British Consul in St Petersburg came to pick him up an hour later.Mr Kinnock - son of former Labour leader Neil - was held by the side of the road on Tuesday night and accused of going up a one-way street the wrong way and of smelling of alcohol. The British Consul in St Petersburg came to pick him up an hour later.
Any attempt to intimidate staff is completely unacceptable Foreign Office spokesman Our main concern is the safety and security of both our Russian and UK staff British Council
A British Council spokesman said: "We can confirm that director [in] St Petersburg was followed, stopped and subsequently released an hour later by Russian authorities." The British Council has been at the centre of a row between Russia and the UK, part of an ongoing dispute over the death of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned in London. Russian authorities have ordered offices outside Moscow to shut, Britain has refused.
He added that Russian staff in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg were "summoned for interview by the FSB at their headquarters and subsequently visited in their homes late last night by officials of the Russian Ministry of the Interior". Mr Miliband said Tuesday had seen "productive" discussions between British diplomats and Russian authorities in Moscow.
They have been called to more interviews on Wednesday, she said. But he said: "We've also heard last night and today very serious reports of intimidation and harassment of British Council officials, obviously we take that very seriously indeed."
Litvinenko row 'Completely legal'
"Our main concern is the safety and security of both our Russian and UK staff and we are deeply concerned by both these incidents," he added. He said he would meet the chief executive of the British Council to discuss the matter later and the Russian ambassador would meet the head of the British diplomatic service.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said they were investigating what had happened, adding: "We have made clear that the British Council operates legally in Russia according to the relevant conventions and agreements, to the benefit of thousands of Russian citizens. Mr Miliband argued that cultural exchange between the two countries was a good thing and that the council's work was "completely legal" and Britain would defend its staff's integrity.
"Any attempt to intimidate staff is completely unacceptable. The welfare of British Council staff , both Russian and British, is our main priority." The British Council promotes cultural ties
And he said the only losers, should the offices shut, would be the Russian people and the reputation of the Russian government.
The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, has been accused of violating Russian tax rules.The British Council, which aims to promote cultural and educational ties, has been accused of violating Russian tax rules.
The row comes on top of ongoing tensions over the death of former KGB officer Mr Litvinenko in London in November 2006. He had been given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210.The row comes on top of ongoing tensions over the death of former KGB officer Mr Litvinenko in London in November 2006. He had been given a fatal dose of radioactive polonium 210.
Retaliatory measure
The UK wants Russia to hand over businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.The UK wants Russia to hand over businessman Andrei Lugovoi, whom UK investigators suspect of murdering Mr Litvinenko.
When Russia refused to extradite Mr Lugovoi, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats and Moscow followed suit. When Russia refused to extradite Mr Lugovoi, Britain expelled four Russian diplomats and Moscow followed suit. Russian officials have described the action against the British Council as a retaliatory measure.
Russian officials have described the action against the British Council as a retaliatory measure. On Wednesday, a British Council spokesman said Russian staff in St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg were "summoned for interview by the FSB at their headquarters and subsequently visited in their homes late last night by officials of the Russian Ministry of the Interior".
They have been called to more interviews on Wednesday, he said.
"Our main concern is the safety and security of both our Russian and UK staff and we are deeply concerned by both these incidents," he added.