According to Russian authorities, the individual in question is a seasoned visitor to Russia and well aware that personal identification must always be carried when travelling in the country. According to local authorities, the individual was also questioned by the Federal Security Bureau on the content of the laptop found in his possession as it is prohibited to photograph strategic industrial facilities in Russia without prior written approval from relevant authorities.

Igor Schelkunov, EuroChem Administrative Director, commented on the situation: “We hope that this unfortunate event does not cast a shadow on the Ust Luga River testing program and the ongoing cooperation between EuroChem and Finnish and Russian environmental organizations”

Since January 2012, EuroChem, the Helsinki Commission’s BALTHAZAR Project, SYKE, RusHydromet and the Ministries of Environment of Finland and Russia have been actively cooperating in the monitoring of the Luga River water quality.