Russia to raise Assange arrest on global platforms

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia will bring up the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in London on international platforms, said Russian on Thursday.

International journalist groups must speak up on this "unprecedented" development Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Zakharova told a news conference in Moscow.

"The entire story with hunting and baiting him, the creation of inhumane conditions of existence, is burying in oblivion freedom of speech, dissemination of information; it is a blow to the rights of journalists," she said.

She also slammed his arrest after leaving Ecuador's Embassy, saying it was performed with "a reckless disregard for his human dignity."

Turning to Sudan and the removal from the presidency of Omar al-Bashir, Zakharova called on the parties to find a peaceful solution based on "a nationwide consensus."

"Moscow expects that all Sudanese political forces, as well as law enforcement agencies, will act responsibly in order to stabilize the situation as soon as possible and prevent its further escalation," she said.

- Syria and terrorist PKK/YPG

Zakharova also addressed the situation in a number of Mideast countries.

She said Russian and Turkey continue "coordinated efforts" to reduce tension around the demilitarized zone in the Syrian province of Idlib.

She also called on the U.S. to make the SDF -- a label for its terrorist allies, the PKK/YPG -- let refugees leave Syria’s Al-Hol camp, saying the concentration of people and lack of primary necessities including food and water is leading to a humanitarian catastrophe.

Turkey has long objected to U.S. support for the PKK/YPG/SDF.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children. The PYD/YPG is its Syrian branch, and it also works under the label SDF.

She strongly condemned the U.S. decision to list the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.

"The decision fits into the U.S. line to demonize Iran, putting maximum pressure on it,” she said.

“Building a solid architecture of regional security in the Middle East is impossible without Tehran's participation, as well as ensuring the stability of the situation in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan," she said.

On Tuesday’s election win of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Maria Zakharova said: "Moscow is sure the new Israeli government will keep up good relations with Russia."

She also said Russia only supports a diplomatic solution to the Libyan crisis and disapproves of the use of force.

On Venezuela, she said the country lost $110 billion from U.S. interference in the country's affairs.

"Pay back the money [Venezuela's frozen assets], lift the sanctions, and the country will return to normal," she said.