Poland has strongly denounced a statement by a former Russian ombudsman for children’s rights that the killing of ambassadors is “within the framework of international law,” the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Russian official accuses Poland of violating Vienna Convention over the ambassador’s treatment
In a television program hosted by Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov on Sunday, Pavel Astakhov made accusations against the Polish authorities for violating the Vienna Convention and mentioned the Polish ambassador to Russia.
“I have to refer to the situation in Poland. What is happening is a serious violation of the Geneva Convention on Consular Relations, which since 1961 all countries of the world that maintain diplomatic relations have committed to,”
Astakhov said.
In a provocative statement, Pavel Astakhov revealed that he had been monitoring whether the Polish ambassador to Russia would suffer a similar fate as Russia’s ambassador to Poland, Sergei Andreyev, who was splashed with red paint during a visit to a military cemetery in Warsaw last year. The incident was carried out by activists protesting against Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Astakhov’s comments have sparked outrage and further strained the already tense relationship between Russia and Poland.
Kremlin’s Pavel Astakhov: ‘Retaliation and reprisals’ against diplomats are permissible under international law
Astakhov also suggested that such “retaliation and reprisals” against diplomats were permissible under international law and that this was “taught to him in the KGB school.”
Pavel Astakhov, in his controversial statements, went on to suggest that “retaliation and reprisals” against diplomats were within the bounds of international law. He further claimed that he learned this during his time at the KGB school. Astakhov’s comments have been widely criticized by international observers and have reignited concerns about the Russian government’s aggressive tactics.
Poland condemns former Russian diplomat’s remarks
Poland’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lukasz Jasina, issued a statement on Monday in response to Astakhov’s remarks, which was posted on the ministry’s website.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland condemns the statement of the former Ombudsman of the Russian Federation, Pavel Astakhov, proving that the murder of the Polish Ambassador is admissible. We call on Russia to ensure the safety of all diplomats in accordance with the Vienna Convention,”
the statement written by MFA Spokesperson Łuaksz Jasina reads.
The building in Warsaw’s Mokotow district that housed a secondary school run by the Russian Embassy was taken over by Warsaw City Hall on Saturday, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The move was made in compliance with a court ruling that deemed the Russian occupation of the building to be illegal.