Belarus launches probe of Russian food safety officials

MINSK, Belarus – The Belarusian Interior Ministry has launched a criminal probe against Russia’s food safety officials, the latest move in an escalating spat between the two ex-Soviet neighbours and allies.

The ministry’s statement Tuesday follows a directive from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who said Sergei Dankvert, the head of the Russian food safety watchdog, must be investigated for “damaging the state.” Lukashenko’s move Friday has drawn an angry response from the Kremlin.

Dankvert’s agency has banned Belarusian agricultural products over suspicions that Belarus has served as a conduit for contraband Western food, which Russia has banned in retaliation to the U.S. and the EU sanctions.

In power for over two decades, Lukashenko has relied on the economic and political support of Russia, but relations have grown strained recently over a host of disputes.