Belarus summons Japanese ambassador over espionage activities of Japanese citizen

The Japanese ambassador to Belarus has been summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus and a protest has been lodged against him in connection with the activities of a spy from this country, Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Anatoly Glaz said answering journalists’ questions, BelTA has learned. “On 6 September, Japanese Ambassador Hiroyuki Yamamoto was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus. A protest was lodged against the head of the Japanese diplomatic mission in connection with the recently detained Japanese citizen over his espionage activities in our country, which harmed the security of the Republic of Belarus,” said Anatoly Glaz. The investigation is nearing completion, and the punishment for the crimes committed by the Japanese citizen will be determined by the court in full compliance with Belarusian legislation, the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized. He also commented on the public demands by the Japanese side to conceal this crime from the public and not to show it in the media. These demands were left without consideration because there were no legal grounds for that. “In this context, the protest over the screening of the film exposing the criminal nature of the actions of the Japanese citizen looks even more ridiculous,” said Anatoly Glaz. According to him, all investigative procedures were carried out in full compliance with Belarusian legislation and all international standards. Consular access was provided to the detainee, the Japanese side knows that he is held in comfortable conditions, legal representation was ensured, the detainee voluntarily cooperates with the investigation and communicates with the media. “At the same time, we do not rule out further contacts with the Japanese side on this case,” the press secretary said. “Any actions by foreign intelligence services violating the sovereignty of our country are unacceptable,” he added.