Lilian Darius // photo: zdg.md
A corresponding statement was published on the ministry’s website.
It is noted that a strong protest was lodged with the Moldovan ambassador and a verbal note was delivered in connection with Chisinau’s violation of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. This was prompted by the detention of diplomatic couriers from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Chisinau Airport and the demands made of them to allow their correspondence to be inspected and to “voluntarily surrender” their communication devices the previous day, June 25.
It is noted that diplomats from the Russian Embassy in Chisinau were denied access to the arriving Russian Foreign Ministry staff members. Despite advance notification of their arrival to the Moldovan side, the couriers were forced to return to their home country.
“Moldova’s Ambassador to Russia, L. Daria, was informed of a gross violation of Article 27 of the 1961 Vienna Convention, according to which diplomatic couriers ‘enjoy personal inviolability and shall not be subject to arrest or detention in any form whatsoever,’ and diplomatic mail ‘shall not be subject to opening or detention,’ ” according to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s website.
