Tensions flared at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport late Thursday when Tom Dodd, Britain’s deputy head of mission in Russia, was involved in physical altercations. Dodd ripped the badge of one journalist, tore a demonstrator’s poster, and grabbed a camera from another journalist.
RT writes that the incident unfolded as Tom Dodd, accompanied by Christopher Allan, head of the UK Foreign Office’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate, tried to get through the airport. Both were confronted by activists and journalists.
The confrontation was captured on video, showing Dodd aggressively trying to seize cameras, removing an ID badge from a journalist, and pushing a female reporter aside.
This behavior came after the delegation ignored questions about a recent espionage controversy that led to the expulsion of six British diplomats from Russia.
The situation did not improve outside the airport, as the British officials faced a small group of protesters. During this, another minor scuffle resulted in Dodd destroying a protest sign.
The visit by Tom Dodd and his colleagues comes in the wake of heightened diplomatic strain following allegations of espionage against British embassy staff, who Russia accused of engaging in subversive activities. The UK has categorically denied these claims, labeling them as unfounded.
Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, took to her regular briefing to criticize the incident.
She stated, ”Dodd’s actions at the airport are a clear indication of how London truly views press freedom and media pluralism,” urging British diplomats to adhere to Russian laws that protect journalists.
Zakharova remarked on the inappropriateness of such ”neo-colonialist habits” in foreign diplomacy. Under Russian law, obstructing journalists’ work can result in a penalty of up to six years in prison.
However, given Tom Dodd’s diplomatic status, whether he will face any legal consequences remains uncertain. This incident has added another layer of complexity to the already strained UK-Russia relations, with discussions now likely to include not only espionage allegations but also the conduct of diplomats abroad, RT writes.
The British Embassy has yet to release an official statement regarding the events at Vnukovo airport. As the situation develops, observers are keenly watching to see how both nations will navigate this latest diplomatic hiccup, which could potentially influence future interactions between British diplomats and the press in Russia.
Source: British diplomat attacks Russian journalists, RT.com