Russian Embassy opposes the expulsion of its diplomat Alexey Krivoshev from Albania

Russian Embassy in Tirana

 The Russian Embassy in Tirana has reacted after the decision of the Albanian government to expel the Russian diplomat, Alexey Krivoshev, for violating anti-Covid measures, saying that the decision to declare the Russian diplomat "Non-Grata" is not based on any evidence.

"Contrary to the statements of the Ministry, the name of Alexei Krivoshev has never been mentioned during the contacts between the Russian Embassy and the Foreign Ministry of Albania. For the first and last time, it appeared in the verbal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania on January 01.2021, according to which Mr. Krivoshev was declared non grata. At the same time, there was no evidence of violations of anti-Covid measures taken in Albania.

The embassy states that the diplomat in question had no external contact, except for the visits, which he carried out in medical facilities to defeat Covid-19.

Alexey Krivoshev, credit: Russian Embassy in Tirana

"As for Mr. Krivoshev, after the beginning of November 2020 was diagnosed with COVID-19, was under the medical protocol for two weeks of self-isolation with the family, strictly observing the prescribed quarantine, and went to work only after passing two negative tests. He had no external contact, except for the visit to the medical facilities to pass the positive test", it is further explained.

Further, the Russian embassy claims that the accusations that Albania has made against the diplomat are baseless and fictitious and that they question the development of friendly relations.

"We believe that the accusations against him are baseless and are fictitious. Against the background of this move of the Albanian side, the desire for the development of friendly relations is suspected", it is further emphasized.