Spain hasn't yet explained reasons for detaining Russian citizen - embassy
MOSCOW. Jan 19 (Interfax) - The Russian embassy to Spain has not yet received explanations from Spanish authorities as to why Russian citizen Stanislav Lisov has been detained in Barcelona; the embassy is doing all it can to protect his interests, embassy spokesman Vasily Nioradze told Interfax.
"Spanish authorities have officially notified the embassy about Russian citizen Stanislav Lisov's detention in Barcelona," Nioradze said.
"After receiving the relevant information, employees of the embassy and the consulate general in Barcelona proactively contacted Spanish law enforcement agencies with a view to protect the Russian citizen's interests and provide him with the necessary consular aid," he said.
"Also, in keeping with established procedure, the embassy has forwarded an inquiry to competent Spanish agencies requesting that they inform us on the reasons and details of the Russian citizen's detention," he said.
"We are maintaining contact with Stanislav Lisov's relatives and are keeping the issue under our control in close cooperation with local authorities," he said.
It had been reported earlier that Spanish police had detained Russian programmer Lisov in Barcelona and informed his relatives that he had been detained under an FBI and Interpol warrant.