Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus A.Glaz responses to the question of the mass media oulets about the detention of a Japanese citizen

‘BelTA’: Will the Belarusian Foreign Ministry react to the protest of Japan over the detention of its citizen?

A. Glaz: On September 6, 2024 the Ambassador of Japan Hiroyuki Yamamoto was summoned to the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

A protest was lodged in connection with the espionage activities carried out by a recently detained Japanese citizen on the territory of our country, which harmed the security of the Republic of Belarus.

At the moment, the investigation of the case is at the final stage, and the measure of responsibility for the committed offences will be determined by the court in full compliance with the Belarusian legislation.

The demands publicly stated by the Japanese side to hide this offence from the public and not to show it in the media were left without consideration due to their ineligibility. In this context, it seems even more ridiculous to protest against the demonstration of a film revealing to the public the criminal nature of the Japanese citizen's actions.

All investigative procedures were carried out in full compliance with Belarusian legislation and all international legal norms. Consular access was provided to the detainee, comfortable conditions of his detention are known to the Japanese side, he is provided with legal protection, voluntarily cooperates with the investigation and maintains contact with the media.

At the same time, we do not refuse further contacts with the Japanese side in this case.

We emphasise the unacceptability of any actions by foreign intelligence services that violate the sovereignty of our country. 

print version