Russian diplomat stabbed near embassy in Canada

USPA News - One person was taken into custody on early Friday morning after a Russian diplomat was attacked with a knife at an apartment building near his embassy in Canada, officials said, adding that the stabbing does not appear to be politically motivated. The incident occurred at approximately 8:43 a.m. local time on Friday at the Rio Apartments on the 400th block of Stewart Street, about a block and a half away from the Russian Embassy in the capital`s Sandy Hill neighborhood. The stabbing occurred while two men were drinking in an apartment and began to argue, the Ottawa Sun newspaper reported. The 44-year-old diplomat, whose identity was not immediately released, was taken to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries on his arms and back.

The Ottawa Police Department said officers arrested a man believed to be the perpetrator at the scene of the stabbing, but refused to release other information about the suspect. "A man was arrested and is in police custody. No charges have been laid at this time. The arrested male will be identified publicly - name, age, city of residence - if/when he is charged," an Ottawa police spokesman said. He said other information such as the suspect`s motive, arrest, and anything else could not be made public because it "would be part of evidence to be proven at court." John Babcock, a spokesman for Canada`s foreign ministry, said the attack did not appear to be politically motivated. "We are disturbed by these reports and the department has been in touch with the Russian embassy," he said. "Thus far, we have nothing to indicate this was a politically motivated incident in nature." The Russian Embassy was not immediately available for comment and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) refused to comment.