TIRANA, April 27 – Russia’s Ambassador to Albania Alexander Karpushin has told authorities in Tirana he feels threatened by a Kosovo-based radical group and wants to bring more security personnel from Moscow to protect the embassy, according to a report by a national television station, which has not been confirmed by the embassy.
Vizion Plus television reported Karpushin has allegedly been targeted by a group of Islamic extremists from Kosovo and Macedonia, whose members have allegedly moved into an apartment near the Russian Embassy and keep an eye on the ambassador and the personnel.
Members of the Russian Embassy in Tirana have reportedly been warned to stay away from massive gatherings and activities in the capital.
Russian Embassy has not provided any concrete evidence regarding the group of Islamic extremists that are allegedly threatening the ambassador. However, the Vizion Plus reports that the embassy has required additional personnel from Moscow as well as a team of intelligence experts.
Such request comes at a crucial time for Albania, when the country is being consumed by a severe political crisis and there are serious doubts on the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 18.
Meanwhile the situation in the region is also tense. International media have reported that Balkans are increasingly at the center of a power struggle between the West, Russia and Turkey.
