Mozambique works to clarify circumstances of ambassador’s death

Mozambique

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation is working in coordination with the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Maputo, under the terms of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, to clarify the circumstances of his death”, said the spokesperson for that ministry, José Matsinhe, in a statement to the press, today, in Maputo.

According to the spokesperson, the contacts also aim to “ensure due solemnity in the transfer of the deceased’s body to the Russian Federation”.

The ministry recognizes that Ambassador Surikov, in office since 2017, “spared no effort to materialize” the “strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation” between the two countries, he stressed.

The President of Mozambique, Filipe Nyusi, today sent a message of condolences to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for the death in Maputo of Ambassador Alexander Surikov, ensuring support in the “subsequent” process.

“The untimely departure of Ambassador Surikov, a dedicated diplomat, with exceptional qualities who, with unparalleled professionalism, knew how to defend the interests of his country, while promoting fruitful cooperation between our two countries, leaves an immense void”, says the message of condolences from the Mozambican President.

In the same message, Filipe Nyusi reiterates the “solidarity” and “full support of the Government of Mozambique for the subsequent procedures”.

The Mozambican Public Prosecutor’s Office said today that it is unaware of the alleged decision by the Russian authorities not to authorize the autopsy of the Russian ambassador.

Alexander Surikov, 68, was found dead on Saturday night at the official residence in Maputo and, according to the Mozambican police, the Russian authorities did not authorize any examination of the body.

“On this matter [the non-authorization of an autopsy] I cannot speak (…). I have no knowledge. But naturally any criminal occurrence, if applicable, the Public Prosecutor’s Office becomes aware of”, the spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office, Nazimo Mussá, told the media on the sidelines of the entity’s meeting in Maputo.

According to information from the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) to which Lusa had access on Sunday, the “presumption” of the investigation is “sudden death due to undetermined causes”, however, when the police picket arrived at the morgue of the Central Hospital of Maputo “they found that the body had already been prepared”.

“And, due to instructions from Russia, which reached the picket’s technical team through the consul of that Federation, Mr. Yuri Doroshenkov, who was present at the morgue accompanied by the embassy’s security officer, they were instructed not to carry out any (…) examination of the body, much less an autopsy”, the information states.

“However, the technical team took photographs of the deceased’s body while in the drawer, photographs of his residence were taken and the consul’s statement was collected”, he added.

In one of the few statements to the media, Ambassador Surikov had conveyed, in an interview with Lusa, on February 2, Moscow’s willingness to support Maputo in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado, in the event of a request, noting, however, that the support that the country is receiving is sufficient.

“We have many years of experience in military cooperation with Mozambique, we helped this country build its armed forces and they know perfectly well about our capabilities. If they need any specific help, we are always there”, he said at the time.

Read Also: Nyusi sends condolences to Putin and guarantees support after the death of the ambassador (Portuguese version)

Crédito: Link de origem

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