Moscow Restaurant Explosion: Italy Rejects Russia’s Claims of Ukrainian Intimidation of Italians

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has rejected Russia’s claims of Ukraine’s alleged involvement in the explosion at Moscow’s Balzi Rossi restaurant, calling accusations of an attempt to intimidate Italians a “colossal lie.”
This is reported by the Adnkronos agency.

Following the explosion at the Balzi Rossi restaurant, the Russian embassy in Italy said the incident was allegedly aimed at intimidating Italian citizens working in Russia. The embassy also claimed that thanks to the actions of a security guard, Neapolitan chef Carmine Alfieri and his team were not injured.

The Russian diplomatic mission’s statement noted that “by planning a terrorist attack against one of the best Italian restaurants in Moscow, they wanted to intimidate Italians working in Russia, to show them that they are also in their sights and could become the next victims at any moment.” The embassy also linked representatives of the Ukrainian authorities to the terrorist organizations Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

During a speech at the Versiliana cultural and political festival, the Italian Foreign Minister rejected these accusations.

“A total lie. Why would Ukrainians intimidate Italians? For that matter, it could be the Russians intimidating Italians, considering that we support Ukraine,” Tajani said.

Recall that on the evening of August 1, an explosion occurred at the Balzi Rossi Italian restaurant on Kudrinskaya Square in central Moscow. According to preliminary data, at least 3 people were killed, and information about the number of injured varies.

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