Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova in her Telegram-channel warned Ukraine against threats to the former Crimean prosecutor and State Duma deputy, and now appointed ambassador to Cape Verde, Natalia Poklonskaya, and advised not to try to “extradite” her from Africa.
Former Deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine Gunduz Mammadov said in Twitterthat Kiev may begin to prepare documents for the “extradition” of Poklonskaya from Cape Verde. According to him, the proceedings against her are already in the Ukrainian court.
Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said that the department had already approached the government of Cape Verde about Poklonskaya’s alleged “criminal activities” in Crimea. He specified that the ambassador is under the sanctions of Ukraine, the European Union, Canada, the United States and Japan, and is also wanted for “high treason.”
On October 13, Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Natalya Poklonskaya as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Cape Verde.
The ex-deputy told RIA Novosti that she was delighted with the decision. She noted that she had already completed courses at the diplomatic academy and an internship at the Foreign Ministry.
Chairman of the Public Chamber of Crimea Alexander Formanchuk congratulated Natalia Poklonskaya on her appointment. He stated that the former MP had received a “prize” for her work to reunite the peninsula with Russia.
In August, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba, commenting on reports of Poklonskaya’s appointment to a diplomatic post, said that Kiev could have an opportunity to ruin her life. According to him, the Ukrainian authorities need to check whether Poklonskaya is a citizen of Ukraine. If it remains, then Kiev has various opportunities, said the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. At the same time, Kuleba stressed that if Poklonskaya renounced citizenship and is only a citizen of Russia, then it is Moscow’s business, who and where to appoint.