MOSCOW. July 26 (Interfax) - The detention in the U.S. of a group of Russians on suspicions of espionage and their subsequent extradition to Russia will not reflect on U.S.-Russian relations, U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Beyrle said.
"We initially said we don't expect this incident to negatively impact the improvements we are feeling in our bilateral relations," Beyrle said at a press conference in the central office of Interfax on Monday.
"I think no worsening is felt," Beyrle said.
Ten people (Anna Champan, Richard and Synthia Murphy, Juan Lazaro and Viki Pelaez, Michael Zotolli, Patricia Mills, Mikhail Semenko, Donald Howard Heathfield and Tracey Lee Ann Foley) were arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia on June 27. Charges were brought against 11 people. The last accused, Christopher Metsos, was taken into custody by police in Cyprus and was later released on bail.
The Russian Foreign Ministry admitted that the detainees are Russian citizens. In early July, Russia and the U.S. exchanged four Russians convicted of espionage and pardoned by the Russian president for the ten Russians detained in the U.S.