Briefing by Russian MFA Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich, June 16, 2011

In connection with court hearings for Michael Grismore

This topic has been actively present in broadcasts of Russian TV channels and had a wide resonance.

Currently, the US Court of Cherokee County, Georgia, is hearing the case of American citizen Michael Grismore accused of beating and sexually abusing his foster daughter, Russian Xenia Mae Blenford, nee Xenia Dmitrievna Antonova, born in 1994.

According to available information, Xenia was adopted in 2001 by US citizen Martha Annette Blenford, receiving a new name: Xenia Mae. In June 2009, the adoptive mother renounced the girl and she was adopted by Martha Annette Blenford’s sister Mary Blenford, and her husband Michael Grismore.

After the incident, Xenia had a course of rehabilitation. Currently she is in an orphanage of the state of Georgia under the supervision of social workers; she is being given medical and psychological assistance.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry and Embassy in the US keep the situation under close control. Our consular officials have visited the girl. She’s been assisted in obtaining a new Russian passport. Our diplomats also met with representatives of the law enforcement and judicial authorities of the state of Georgia, as well as her temporary guardians, lawyers and the investigators conducting her case and we are now in constant touch with the US State Department on this issue. The Russian side demands that US authorities conduct a thorough and complete investigation into the violent acts against Xenia and pass a just sentence on the guilty party.

This outrage once again confirms the need for urgent conclusion of an agreement with the United States on cooperation in the field of international adoption. The document is almost ready, and after a final reconciliation to be held during the next round of consultations in Moscow on 22 June this year, will shortly be submitted for signature.

<excerpt of long report on many unrelated issues>