MOSCOW: Russia demanded a formal apology from Poland on Monday over the mugging of three teenage children of Russian diplomats and a Kazakh friend at the weekend, blaming Polish politicians for stirring up anti-Russian sentiment.

“The Russian side expects an official apology,” the foreign ministry said after summoning Poland’s ambassador to Moscow, Stefan Meller. Following Sunday’s mugging in Warsaw of the teenagers, Moscow also demanded the culprits be punished and that security for diplomatic staff be guaranteed, a ministry statement said.

Moscow says that 15 young attackers shouted anti-Russian slogans while heavily beating the teenagers and stealing their money and mobile phones. Two of the victims lost teeth, according to the Russian foreign ministry.—AFP