Recent reports indicate the detention of Ts. Ganbold, a citizen of the Bayan-Uul sum of Dornod aimag, in Russia. This is reported by MiddleAsianNews.
According to Mongolian sources, the citizen of Mongolia will be held in a pre-trial detention center in Chita for a month on suspicion of espionage.
Ts. Ganbold, who lives with his wife at the Ulkhan checkpoint located 50 km from the Bayan-Uul sum, has worked as an electrician and has been herding livestock for over a year.
Every week he crosses the Ulkhan checkpoint to buy groceries and necessary items. On February 10, while preparing for the celebration of Tsagaan Sar according to the lunar calendar, Ganbold was detained by Russian law enforcement officers. Ts. Ganbold's family was informed that an investigation is underway regarding possible espionage charges, and he will be under investigation for a month.
M. Battulga, the governor of the Bayan-Uul sum in Dornod aimag, stated: "Our citizen detained in Russia is accused of espionage. He is being held in a pre-trial detention center in Chita. This person has never held public office; he only works as an electrician in his sum. His arrest occurred shortly before the Tsagaan Sar holiday. His relatives visited Russia and met with the investigator, but they were not provided with details of the charges and the essence of the case. The family has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
