The Russian Embassy in the US sent a protest note to the State Department in connection with the police attack on RIA Novosti correspondent.

The statement on the Facebook page of the embassy runs as follows:

We are concerned about the increased number of police violence cases and unjustified detentions of journalists during their coverage of protests in the United States that broke out after the murder of George Floyd. We consider it unacceptable for US law enforcement officials to use special equipment - rubber bullets and tear gas - against media representatives after they present their press cards. In particular, we regard the targeted spraying of pepper aerosol by Minneapolis police officers in the face of RIA Novosti correspondent Mikhail Turgiev as a manifestation of unreasonable brutality, despite identifying him as a journalist.

It is impermissible for media employees to be attacked by law enforcement personnel while performing their professional duty. We remind the US authorities of their international obligations to ensure the safety and unhindered activities of journalists, as well as freedom of speech and equal access to information for everyone.

We presume that the U.S. authorities will conduct a thorough investigation of the incidents.

We urge relevant international organizations and human rights NGOs to properly respond to this arbitrariness.