12.10 Russian Diplomat Injured in Panama Stabbing
MEXICO CITY, October 12 (RIA Novosti) A senior Russian diplomat in Panama has been injured in a knife attack by an unidentified Ukrainian man, according to the local Russian ambassador.
The Russian Vice-Consul in Panam, Yevgeny Manilov, was with two other people in the parking lot of a large business center, which also contains the Russian Embassy, on Friday morning when he was stabbed, according to local media reports.
Alexei Yermakov, the Russian ambassador in Panama, suggested that the attack was carried out by a drug addict who had arrived from Ukraine several months ago.
The Ukrainian citizen recently visited the consular department of the Russian Embassy and asked for $3,000 to $5,000, clearly there was something wrong and he was high, said Yermakov, adding that the motive for the attack may have been revenge. I dont exclude that, in a mind befuddled by narcotics, such an idea could arise, he said.
Manilov was taken to hospital after the attack, but his injuries were not life threatening, according to Yermakov.
Local police are investigating the incident, and the Embassy has requested local police and the Russian Foreign Ministry provide increased security for its diplomatic staff, Yermakov said.
Updated with comments from the ambassador
