Russian Embassy denies involvement with protesters waving Russian flags

The Russian Embassy in Nigeria stated on Monday that its officials are not involved with or coordinating the activities of individuals waving Russian flags during the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests across the country.

In a statement provided to journalists in Abuja, the embassy clarified that neither the Russian government nor its officials are participating in the protests.

The nationwide demonstrations, which began on Thursday, August 1, are a response to the economic difficulties faced by Nigerian citizens.

Former diplomats and ex-military officers have previously raised concerns about the appearance of Russian flags among the demonstrators.

Read also: Protesters waving Russian flags will face treason charges, says CDS Musa

On Monday, the police arrested the supplier of the Russian flags along with 30 protesters.

In response, the Russian embassy emphasized, “The Government of the Russian Federation, as well as any Russian officials, are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way. As always, we emphasize that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria.”

The embassy attributed the use of Russian symbols by some protesters to personal choices, asserting that it does not represent any official stance or policy of the Russian government. “These intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals, and they do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government in the issue,” the statement read.

The embassy also reiterated its respect for Nigeria’s democratic processes and recognized peaceful protests as a legitimate form of democratic expression.

However, it condemned any potential disruptions or acts of violence that might arise from the demonstrations. “We respect Nigerian democracy and believe that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy. However, should these events lead to any disruptions or acts of violence, we strictly condemn them,” it concluded.

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