Zakharova, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accuses Leonid Slutski of sexual harassment

New accusations for Leonid Slutski. Maria Zakharova, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, today revealed that she had been harassed by MP Leonid Slutski, already accused of similar events by various Russian journalists.

The spokesperson, during an interview with NTV, said that five years ago, when she was not yet a known person, during a forum in Saint Petersburg, State Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky addressed sexist comments to him: "Leonid he started to tell the restaurant about the things I did not find pleasant at all, I was surprised by the fact that those present did not say anything at that moment and that they did not support me ".

Towards the end of February, three women came forward in an anonymous manner, denouncing to Dozhd the sexual harassment deputy, they were joined by Ekaterina Katrikadze, deputy editor-in-chief RTVI, and by producer Dozhd Darya Zhuk. Later also the BBC journalist Farida Rustamova (one of the women who originally preferred to remain anonymous) has openly confirmed her accusations against Slutsk, revealing that she has an audio recording of him harassing her in March 2017.

Slutsky, who denies any allegations, and asserts that sexual harassment allegations have actually improved his "position" in the Russian legislature supported by some of his colleagues in the Duma.

On International Women's Day, Slutsky used the occasion to “apologize” on Facebook, writing, “I wish to ask forgiveness from those to whom I have voluntarily or unwittingly caused any of you who have ever voluntarily or involuntarily caused suffering. Believe me, it wasn't out of malice ”.

Zakharova, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, accuses Leonid Slutski of sexual harassment