The Russian Embassy in London has sent out a series of bizarre tweets, using its diplomatic premises and immunity to libel a British citizen who opposes its slaughter in Syria. The verified account falsely accused Prof. Shiraz Maher, an adjunct Professor of Johns Hopkins and UK academic, of supporting terrorists.
https://twitter.com/RussianEmbassy/status/806799741468090370
Vladimir Putin is currently bombing civilians in Aleppo, where the Russian air force is wiping out hospitals and houses, in order to support the Russian puppet and genocidal torturer Bashir Assad.
Professor Maher had re-tweeted a notice from the United Nations account remarking on Russian targeting of Syrian hospitals. He did not address the Russian Embassy account but tagged in the Russian Federation’s Ambassador to the UK, Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko.
I assume @Amb_Yakovenko will be calling for a full investigation. https://t.co/bgdFmwAOfw
— Shiraz Maher (@ShirazMaher) December 8, 2016
However, despite not being addressed, the Russian Embassy itself then used its verified account to send a series of firstly risible and then libelous tweets at Prof. Maher:
@ShirazMaher cruelty of Al-Nusra and their "moderate" friends is well known. Use civilians as human shield, shoot those who flee to safety
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) December 8, 2016
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@ShirazMaher Russian Air Force is in Syria by invitation of its Government, proudly defending Syrian people from extremists
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) December 8, 2016
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@ShirazMaher why not condemn war crime by "moderates" killing Russian nurses? Russia brings Syrians peace and food, you side with terrorists
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) December 8, 2016
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https://twitter.com/RussianEmbassy/status/806799741468090370
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@ShirazMaher smear is calling "war criminals" a legitimate force fighting extremists (who are a threat to UK as well)
— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) December 8, 2016
Without knowing who tweets the account of the Russian Embassy, it is impossible to say whether or not Prof. Maher could succeed in his libel suit owing to diplomatic immunity. Libeling UK citizens as terrorist supporters is not, however, the use to which Britain expects its diplomatic residents to put their Embassies.
On the morning when the head of MI6 has noted the increasing Russian threat to UK security and Prime Minister Theresa May has called Putin out for harming the UK, the trolling by the Russian Embassy may result – should in fact result – in a summons for the Ambassador.
