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The Russian embassy in Prague has formally protested to the Czech Foreign Ministry over a media report claiming that Russian spies may have plotted to poison the city's mayor.
- The Russian embassy said allegations made in the report were "absolutely baseless"
- Czech officials did not comment on the allegations
- Both men are under police protection, but the reason for that has not been made public
On Monday, local political newspaper Respekt reported that Czech intelligence services suspected a Russian agent was sent to Prague three weeks ago to poison Prague mayor Zdenek Hrib and Prague 6 district's Mayor Ondrej Kolar with ricin, a highly potent toxin.
Czech authorities did not comment on the report.
A Russian embassy statement said "the allegations in the story are absolutely baseless" and designed to "discredit" Russia.
Mr Hrib and Mr Kolar have both been the subject of recent criticism of Russian officials.
Both have been placed under police protection, but authorities have not given any reason for that measure.
In February, a Prague square in front of the Russian Embassy was renamed after slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, with Mr Hrib unveiling the new nameplate.
In April, Mr Kolar's district removed the statue of Soviet World War II commander Ivan Stepanovic Konev, whose armies liberated Prague from Nazi occupation.
Prague 6 officials said the statue would be moved to a museum and a new monument honouring the city's liberation would be installed in its place.
AP