Russian diplomat stabbed near embassy in Ottawa

There is no indication the stabbing of a Russian diplomat near his country's embassy in Ottawa on Friday morning was politically motivated, says Canada's minister of foreign affairs.

A 44-year-old man was taken to hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries after he was found with stab wounds at400 Stewart St. in Sandy Hill, a neighbourhood that is home to many embassies.

Ottawa police have arrested a man in connection with the stabbing.

The investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the Ottawa police, said Minister ofForeign Affairs, John Baird.

"We're obviously deeply, deeply disturbed byreports and our department has been in touch with the Russian Embassy," Baird said Friday afternoon. "Thus far, we have nothing to indicate this was anything to do with beingpolitically motivated, apolitically motivatedincident in nature."

Baird said Canada's relationship with Russia will not be a factor in the investigation.

"Obviously we have important responsibilities under the Vienna Convention, to work to keep missions and foreign personnel safe. We take that very, very seriously and in no way, shape or form the challenging period in our current relationship should not come into it," he said.

Residents of the building where the stabbing took placesaidmany staff from the Russian Embassy and other embassieslive there.

The building is about a block and a half away from the Russian Embassy and police said a Russian interpreter was needed to translate for witnesses during the investigation.

Sandy Hill is a neighbourhood that features a mix of student housing,embassies and ambassadors' homes.

No details were provided about the man police have in custody,but Insp. Murray Knowles of the Ottawa Police Service said more information could be releasedlater Friday.

Military police said Ottawa police asked them to come to the scene, but "it was quicklydetermined that the Ottawa Police Service is the force of jurisdiction in this matter."