RUSSIAN EMBASSY SEEKS EXPLANATION OVER ARREST OF MIKHAIL ZVINCHUK

PODGORICA, OCTOBER 9 /SRNA/ - The Russian Embassy in Montenegro has asked the Montenegrin authorities to explain the arrest of Mikhail Zvinchuk, founder of the Russian media and information network Rybar, and other Russian nationals.

"Following reports published in the Montenegrin media about the arrest of Mikhail and Viktoria Zvinchuk, as well as several other Russian nationals, the Embassy has sent an inquiry to the Montenegrin side requesting an explanation of the reasons for their decision and urgent consular access to the Russians," the Embassy said in a statement, TASS reported.

Montenegrin security forces arrested Zvinchuk, who is under British sanctions, and several of his colleagues today.

Local media reported that the Montenegrin security services had received a message about the arrival of members of the Rybar network.

According to the Russian network Rybar, the team was in Montenegro in compliance with the country’s laws.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the Russian Embassy in Montenegro was investigating the circumstances surrounding Zvinchuk’s arrest.

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said that Europe had declared a hunt for all Russians and that Russia would most likely have to replenish its "exchange pool" of Europeans and Americans in order to secure the release of Russian nationals.