Russian commercial envoy downplays prostitution allegations

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Valeri Shlyamin, the commercial representative of the Russian Federation in Finland, says that the suspicions of pimping directed at two Russian diplomats stationed in Helsinki are "strange". He also says that he hopes that problems linked with the use of apartments owned by the trade mission could be "handled in a civilised manner between officials".
      "This is not a problem with an extensive impact on society, so I do not understand why the media is linked up with these discussions, and why they have taken a clearly accusatory point of view."
     
Shlyamin says that the trade mission has apartments which it rents out to people when they are free.
      "I would like to point out that we are not police. All we know about our tenants is that they have permanent residence permits for Finland, and that they can afford to pay rent. Besides, Finnish officials grant residence permits only to those who are classified as honest."
      Shlyamin also denies reports in the Finnish media that the prostitution scandal would involve two Russian diplomats.
     
"One of the diplomats has returned to Russia, because his posting, which lasted a few years, ran out. The other is continuing his work quite normally."
      He adds that the diplomats were in contact with a woman arrested in the investigation only because of matters related to the renting of an apartment.
     
Meanwhile, police say that the investigation into the alleged use of diplomatic residences for prostitution will stretch into next year.
      Police have been investigating allegations of aggravated pimping for several months. A number of women are believed to have used three diplomatic apartments for the purpose of commercial sex.
      One 41-year-old Russian woman has been remanded in custody in the case. She is believed to have run a prostitution ring for at least two years, bringing in dozens, if not hundreds of women to Finland to engage in commercial sex. She is not a diplomat, but has lived in Finland for several years.
      The police also want to interview two Russian diplomats on the matter.
     
Police say that the women working out of the diplomatic apartments have solicited clients mainly from restaurants in the centre of Helsinki.
      Investigators are looking into the possibility that the prostitutes may have deliberately sought clients among Finnish civil servants, politicians, and corporate executives.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Russian diplomats suspected of aggravated pimping (2.12.2004)
  Russia sends Finland diplomatic note over investigation into pimping operation in Helsinki (27.10.2004)
  Russian woman arrested over suspicion of extensive pimping operation in Helsinki (19.10.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat