Maria Zakharova: "Murdered journalists are an OSCE matter"

The first question of our journalist touched upon the fate of a citizen of Kyrgyzstan Askar Kubanychbek, who at home was sentenced to 10 years in prison for participating in a special military operation to protect Donbass. In the future, he turned to the Russian authorities with a request to give him citizenship.

"Is this a review appeal accepted? If accepted, then at what stage is the consideration process? "- the question was asked.

Maria Zakharova pointed out that an appeal from a citizen of Kyrgyzstan was sent to one of the deputies of the State Duma, so it is better to contact the lower house of the Russian parliament for comments.

Another question also concerned events in the special operation zone. In 2022, the Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case on the fact of mass shooting by representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of prisoners of Russian servicemen. A week ago, the OSCE Bureau spoke on this issue.

"What does this mean and how are the ties between Russia and the OSCE built today? Does the OSCE have anything to do with the exchange of prisoners and control over the conditions of detention of prisoners of war? "- the correspondent asked.

The diplomat noted that the Russian Federation is not building relations with the OSCE. Russia is one of the founding states of the organization. The OSCE itself does not have a mandate to control the detention of prisoners of war and organize their exchange.

"Everyone needs to do their own thing. The OSCE has a lot of opportunities to prove itself. Here are the journalists killed - the OSCE case. There they have to turn around at full capacity. Given the absolute professional unsuitability of Mrs. Ribeiro, perhaps someone can help from the OSCE secretariat", Maria Zakharova said.

Finally, the final issue touched upon relations between Russia and Finland, which had previously announced a mutual reduction in diplomatic presence. Our journalist recalled that the Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg should be closed. A "legal study" procedure has begun in Helsinki, as a result of which the fate of the Russian consulate in the Åland Islands can be decided.

"Some former Finnish ambassadors in Russia believe that the" humiliating treaty of 1940 "should be abandoned. What is the position of your ministry on these issues? "- asked Maria Zakharova.

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that the presence of the Russian Consulate in the Åland Islands is enshrined in an international legal act. The Russian Federation proceeds from the fact that the current contract is binding on its participants. This fully applies to documents that establish the demilitarized status of the Åland Islands and provide for the placement of a Russian consulate to monitor its observance. Among the documents are the peace treaty signed by representatives of the allied and united powers and Finland in Paris in 1947, as well as the agreement of the USSR and Finland on the Åland Islands in 1940.

Earlier, the Finnish side officially confirmed its intentions to comply with its international legal obligations in this context. The Russian Foreign Ministry hopes that Helsinki will continue to be committed to fulfilling its obligations and will not further weaken the security architecture, which has already been practically destroyed as a result of Finland's accession to NATO. This question, according to Maria Zakharova, should also be asked to the Finnish side.