Moscow has made a strong protest against the treatment of a Russian diplomat in The Hague, news agency ANP said on Monday evening, quoting local media.

Dmitri Borodin was reportedly ‘attacked’ in his home in The Hague on Sunday by ‘people in police uniform’. This apparently happened following complaints from neighbours about his behaviour in front of children, ANP said.

The diplomat claims he was thrown to the ground, hit on the head with a truncheon and handcuffed. He also claims to have made his diplomatic status known.

Greenpeace

Neither the Dutch foreign affairs ministry or the police have yet commented on the claims.

The case comes as the Netherlands and Russia are in a standoff over the seizure of Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise which was sailing under the Dutch flag.

Its crew of 30, including two Dutch nationals, are being held in jail on piracy charges. The Netherlands has threatened Russia with legal action.