MOSCOW. Aug 9 (Interfax) - Russia is concerned about new arrests of its citizens in the United States, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.
"We were concerned to see reports of new arrests of Russians in the U.S.," Zakharova said at a news briefing in Moscow on Thursday.
FBI agents detained Russian citizens Maxim Suverin, Nikolai Tupikin, Alexei Livadny, and Stanislav Lisitsky last week on suspicion of fraud and money laundering as a criminal group, she said.
The Russian embassy in Washington has demanded explanations of the U.S. Department of State, she said.
"We are working to find out the whereabouts of the rest of those arrested and are taking active steps to arrange a consular meeting with them," Zakharova said.
Moscow is doing everything possible to protect the rights and legitimate interests of the Russian citizens, she said.