Russia dismisses reports of plot to poison Prague mayor

Russia has formally protested to the Czech Foreign Ministry over a media report claiming that their spies may have plotted to poison the mayor of Prague and another local official.

Respekt weekly had, on Monday, claimed that Czech intelligence services suspected a Russian agent was sent to Prague three weeks ago to poison Prague mayor Zdenek Hrib and Prague 6 district's Mayor Ondrej Kolar with ricin -- a highly potent toxin.

The Russian embassy in Prague, to this end, clarified in a statement: "The allegations in the story are absolutely baseless and designed to 'discredit' Russia."

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Hrib and Kolar have both angered Moscow and both have been strongly criticised recently by Russian officials.

(with inputs)