British defy order to close offices
A British cultural organization reopened offices in two cities in defiance of an order to close, drawing an angry response from Russia, which promised punitive measures.
Britain’s ambassador said any action against the British Council in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg would violate international law. The council, which acts as the cultural arm of the British Embassy, reopened its offices after the holidays.
Ties between Britain and Russia are badly frayed by the 2006 poisoning death in London of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko.
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