Russia's FSB security agency said on Monday it had detained a Japanese consul in Russia's Pacific port city of Vladivostok for suspected espionage and ordered him to leave the country.
The consul was released after a few hours of detention by the Russian agency. Tokyo has lodged a "strong protest" about the detention and signalled it may retaliate, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a media briefing on Tuesday.
The FSB said the consul, Motoki Tatsunori, was declared persona non grata after he was caught "red-handed" receiving secret information on the effects of Western sanctions on the economic situation in Russia's far east.
It said the classified information, which also concerned Russia's cooperation with an unnamed Asia-Pacific country, had been obtained in return for a "monetary reward".
Moscow has protested to Tokyo over the consul's actions through diplomatic channels, it said.
Japan's top government spokesperson Matsuno said Moscow took the consul into custody in an "intimidating manner" blindfolding and restraining him, which was "a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations".
"The detained consul was not engaging in any illegal activity," Matsuno said, adding the Japanese deputy foreign minister told the Russian ambassador to Japan that Tokyo "needs to take equivalent steps" and demanded a formal apology from Moscow.
The released consul has had no problem with health conditions and will depart Russia by Wednesday, Matsuno said.
Latest Stories
-
Contributors own SSNIT, they must decide who becomes its Director-General – Austin Gamey
8 mins -
Move away from theory-based learning towards practical learning approaches – AUCC President to students
17 mins -
Haaland scores as Manchester City beat Nottingham Forest
1 hour -
Villas-Boas elected Porto president
1 hour -
Situation on frontline has worsened, Ukraine army chief says
2 hours -
US doctor describes witnessing starvation in northern Gaza
2 hours -
CAFCC: RS Berkane make final after USM Alger refused to play 2nd leg over Moroccans’ jersey
2 hours -
Elon Musk in China to discuss enabling full self driving
2 hours -
PSG clinch Ligue 1 title after Lyon’s win over Monaco
4 hours -
Guinness Ghana sets the pace at Ghana Beverage Awards with six awards
4 hours -
Burkina Faso suspends BBC, VOA radio broadcasts over killings coverage
4 hours -
Nicole Kidman honoured with AFI Life Achievement Award
5 hours -
Brassier scores winner for Brest as they edge Rennes to secure European football
5 hours -
Akufo-Addo jabs Ejisu independent candidate; rubbishes allegations to rig by-election
5 hours -
‘What are the real causes of the erratic power outages?’ GUTA asks ECG
5 hours