The Russian Embassy in Armenia issued a statement on Wednesday expressing indignation at allegations claiming that Russian structures were involved in the explosion at Surmalu shopping center in Yerevan last Sunday that killed 16 people and injured more than 60 others.
The statement placed on the Facebook page of the Russian embassy in Armenia reads as follows:
“We are indignant with cynical information spread in the local information field which contains blasphemous and false accusations against the Russian structures in connection with the tragedy which took place on August 14 this year on the territory of Surmalu shopping center.
We regard this kind of information as a direct provocation by the political forces behind these insinuations, aimed at undermining Russian-Armenian allied relations. We expect the Armenian authorities to take steps to put an end to such unfriendly displays, including through public comments.
An appropriate note has been sent by the Embassy to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.
We should note that the Russian side, represented by the Russian-Armenian Humanitarian Response Centre, has been involved from the first minutes in the search and rescue operations helping to eliminate the consequences of the tragedy.”
The explosion occurred at a fireworks storage at the shopping center on Sunday. It led to the collapse of part of the three-story building that housed fireworks unit. Officials have not yet provided information about what caused the fireworks to ignite, but the emergency minister ruled out a terror attack.