Dutch аuthorities have arrested a man suspected of breaking into a Russian Embassy apartment in The Hague last week, an incident that heightened already tense relations between Russia and the Netherlands.
The 43-year-old suspect was tracked down thanks to fingerprints left at the scene of the burglary and arrested at a restaurant on Wednesday night, police said. They added the man was a repeat offender and is being investigated for other burglaries in the same area.
Police said the suspect will appear in court on Friday.
Traces of a break-in were discovered on Oct. 17 at an apartment owned by the Russian Embassy. The Dutch Foreign Ministry said the burglary appeared to be a "normal" crime, contradicting speculation that the break-in might be a tit-for-tat reaction to an attack on a Dutch diplomat several days before.
Two men posing as electricians attacked senior Dutch diplomat Onno Elderenbosch at his Moscow apartment in early October, a week after Russian diplomat Dmitry Borodin was detained by police in The Hague on accusations that he had mistreated his children.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
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 every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
