Moscow is awaiting an official apology from Norway for the situation around Russian Federation Council employee Mikhail Bochkarev, who was previously detained in Oslo on suspicion of involvement in spying activities and is now released over the lack of evidence against him, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 19th October, 2018) Moscow is awaiting an official apology from Norway for the situation around Russian Federation Council employee Mikhail Bochkarev, who was previously detained in Oslo on suspicion of involvement in spying activities and is now released over the lack of evidence against him, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
On Thursday, a Norwegian court ruled not to prolong Bochkarev's arrest due to the lack of evidence against him. The Norwegian police appealed the decision, but later withdrew its appeal. On Friday, Bochkarev was released from detention.
"He is currently in the Russian Embassy in Norway. Russian diplomats provide him with all the necessary assistance. He is planning to depart for Moscow tomorrow. From the very beginning, we pointed to the false nature of 'espionage' accusations brought against M.A. Bochkarev. We expect an official apology from the Norwegian side," the ministry said.
Bochkarev was detained at the Gardermoen airport outside Oslo on September 21 following his participation in an IT conference in Norway's parliament, arranged by the European Center for Parliamentary Research and Documentation. The Norwegian security suspected Bochkarev of gathering data via wireless signals and networks in the parliament building. Bochkarev has denied accusations.
