Camilla Jessen
A diplomatic visit took an unexpected turn when a member of the Omani delegation attempted to bring a dagger into the Kremlin.
A recent diplomatic visit to the Kremlin took an unexpected turn when an Omani official attempted to enter the Russian presidential palace carrying a dagger.
The incident occurred on April 22, during the state visit of the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, to President Vladimir Putin, according to a report by Kommersant.
As the Omani delegation prepared to enter the Grand Kremlin Palace, a security officer from Russia’s Federal Protective Service (FSO) spotted the concealed blade.
The tension reportedly rose as the officer challenged the delegates about the item.
“A Gift, Honestly!”
“What is this?” the FSO officer asked, spotting the blade.
“A gift,” responded members of the Omani delegation in Russian. “A gift, honestly!”
The officer, surprised, asked, “Who wants a gift?”
“Putin! The President of Russia!” they replied.
Despite the explanation, the FSO officer made it clear that this was not an acceptable way to present a gift to the Russian head of state and confiscated the dagger on the spot.
Despite the minor incident, the rest of the diplomatic meeting went ahead as planned.
President Putin welcomed Sultan Haitham at the Kremlin, where the two leaders signed a series of bilateral agreements. The visit was part of broader efforts to strengthen ties between Russia and Oman.
Neither Russian nor Omani officials have commented further on the dagger incident.