MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian news agency says the Kremlin's envoy to the country's restive North Caucasus has accused Western spy services of fomenting violence in the region.
Alexander Khloponin, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s envoy to the region, was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying Tuesday that unspecified spy agencies have been working to fuel interethnic tensions in North Caucasus in the run-up to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi. He didn’t elaborate.
Other Russian officials have made similar statements in the past, reflecting a deep distrust of Western intentions despite recent efforts by President Barack Obama to improve ties with Russia.
Islamic militants have stepped up their attacks in the predominantly Muslim North Caucasus, following two separatist wars in Chechnya.
