A Japanese diplomat detained in Vladivostok on allegations that he obtained classified information has been released and will leave the country by Wednesday out of concerns for his safety, Japanese officials said.
Citing the Russian Federal Security Service, Tass said the diplomat faced allegations of paying for classified information “about current aspects of Russia’s cooperation with an Asia Pacific country” and the impact of Western sanctions.
Japanese officials said the diplomat did not engage in illegal activity and condemned Russian officials for detaining the consul for interrogation, calling it a violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.Takeo Mori, Japan’s vice minister for foreign affairs, summoned Mikhail Galuzin, Russia’s ambassador to Japan, to strongly condemn the action and request a formal apology.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said in a briefing Tuesday that the Russians carried out a “coercive interrogation” that included blindfolding and physical restraint, calling it “extremely regrettable and unacceptable.” There are no problems with the diplomat’s health, officials said. “There is absolutely no evidence that there was any engagement in illegal activities as the Russians claim,” Hayashi said.since the beginning of the year, when Japan imposed wide-reaching economic sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Ties between the two powers have rarely been smooth, but the move marked a sharp turn away from Japanese efforts at rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in previous years.