The US State Department called on Russia to adhere to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, against the backdrop of Moscow’s intention to interrogate two diplomats working at the US Embassy on charges of collecting classified information.

“Russia is obligated under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations to treat diplomats with due respect and to take all appropriate steps to prevent any attack on their person, freedom, or dignity, and we expect them to fulfill that obligation,” the US State Department said in a statement.

The United States considered the accusations against Robert Shonov to be entirely unfounded and said that he worked in strict compliance with Russian laws and regulations.

Robert Shonov was detained in Russia in May. He is accused of cooperating on a confidential basis with a foreign state. According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSS), Shonov collected information for the US Embassy in exchange for compensation.

Source: Qatar News Agency