Why security forces detained a "group of Russians" in friendly Venezuela — Zakharova

Moscow has sent an official request to Caracas in connection with information about the detention by Venezuelan security forces of a group of Russian citizens in this country. The request concerns, among other things, the nature of the imputed charges. This was stated by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova.

"We are aware of reports that Venezuelan law enforcement agencies have detained a group of Russian citizens in this country. The relevant information is being verified through the Russian Embassy, which has sent an official request to the Venezuelan authorities, including the nature of the imputed charges. If the fact of detention is confirmed, Russian citizens will certainly be provided with the necessary consular assistance," the diplomat said, commenting on the situation.

As for media reports on the activities of the Russian-Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce, then, according to available data, this structure is an autonomously operating intermediary organization declaring its desire to assist the development of trade and economic ties between the two countries, Zakharova said.

"At the same time, we do not see any reason for public comments on the practical results of its activities, as well as relations with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Caracas, although, of course, we have our own assessments on this matter," she said.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry added that "the really ongoing bilateral cooperation is coordinated by the Russian-Venezuelan High-level Commission (CEC), working under the leadership of the Deputy Prime Minister." The Russian Federation and the Executive Vice President of Venezuela, as well as the Russia-Venezuela business Council interacting with it."

EADaily adds: on the eve of June 1, an online newspaper from Argentina, Infobae, reported that the Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of Venezuela arrested the head of the Russian-Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce, Colonel Roman Frolenko, along with a group of Cossacks. According to the publication, this happened on May 15. In the Russian media, the detainee is called the head of the permanent mission of the Trans-Baikal Cossacks in Venezuela. His house in Caracas was searched.

According to Infobae, Frolenko came to the attention of counterintelligence after he took part in the unveiling of the monument to the Unknown Soldier on the 80th anniversary of the Victory, allegedly in the company of the local armed group La Piedrita. The official reason for the detention is suspicion of fraud, but the Venezuelan authorities did not provide any details about this, the online newspaper writes. It is reported that for several years the colonel allegedly engaged in shady business in Venezuela and was involved in frauds against entrepreneurs to whom he promised assistance with transactions in Russia.

At the same time, the interlocutors of the publication claim that this is in the Caracas was known for a long time, but no action was taken against Frolenko until he began to "impersonate a diplomat" and "a member of the team of Russian President Vladimir Putin." As a result, the colonel's actions allegedly caused discontent on the part of the Russian Ambassador to Venezuela of Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov.