Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Embassy Attache Told To Leave Canada

A Russian police officer stands guard outside the Canadian Embassy in Moscow on Tuesday. Stringer / Reuters

Canada has ordered a Russian military attache to leave the country in retaliation for Moscow's expulsion of a Canadian diplomat over the Crimea crisis, a news report said.

Lieutenant Colonel Yury Bezler, an assistant military attache at Russia's embassy in Ottawa, has been told to leave Canada within two weeks, CBC News reported Wednesday, citing unidentified officials. Bezler is one of the three defense attaches listed on the embassy website.

Earlier, Russia had told a diplomat at the Canadian Embassy in Moscow that he was no longer welcome, after Canada denied visas to a handful of Russian diplomats over doubts that they were not filling the roles they claimed, the unidentified officials said.

Canada last month recalled its ambassador to Moscow, John Kur, for consultations amid Russia's interference in Crimea, but he returned to his post last Friday, Canada's foreign affairs department said.


… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more