US Embassy In Russia Says To Provide Consular Support To Calvey Detained In Russia

US Embassy in Russia Says to Provide Consular Support to Calvey Detained in Russia

The US Embassy in Russia told RIA Novosti on Monday that it was aware of the detention of US businessman Michael Calvey by the Russian authorities and was ready to provide necessary consular support to him

MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 18th February, 2019) The US Embassy in Russia told RIA Novosti on Monday that it was aware of the detention of US businessman Michael Calvey by the Russian authorities and was ready to provide necessary consular support to him.

Calvey is a founding partner of Baring Vostok Capital Partners private equity fund and a co-owner of Russian Vostochny Bank. The US citizen was detained on Friday alongside five other suspects on suspicions of embezzling 2.5 billion rubles ($37 million) from Vostochny Bank. Calvey has denied the allegations. On Saturday, a Moscow court ruled to place Calvey under a two-month custody. The other five suspects in the case were arrested for two months on Friday. The businessman's lawyers said they would appeal the court's decision.

"The US Embassy in Moscow is aware of the case and will be following it closely, and will provide all appropriate consular assistance.� We have no higher priority than the protection of U.S. citizens abroad. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time," the embassy said.

The criminal case against Calvey is not part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's agenda, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday. Peskov said Putin had repeatedly met with the Baring Vostok founder.

According to the spokesman, the Kremlin has known Calvey as a consistent major investor who defended the attractiveness of the Russian market. The presidential spokesman expressed hope that Calvey's arrest would not affect the investment climate in Russia.