Europe

Russian suspected of flying drone over Polish govt buildings

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A Porsche car on Moscow registration plates parked near the office of Prime Minister Beata Szydlo in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, shortly after its driver, a Russian citizen, was detained by the police for illegally flying a drone over the government and president's buildings. The car was later escorted away by the police. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (The Associated Press)

A Porsche car on Moscow registration plates parked near the office of Prime Minister Beata Szydlo in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, shortly after its driver, a Russian citizen, was detained by the police for illegally flying a drone over the government and president's buildings. The car was later escorted away by the police. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (The Associated Press)

A Porsche car on Moscow registration plates parked near the office of Prime Minister Beata Szydlo in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, shortly after its driver, a Russian citizen, was detained by the police for illegally flying a drone over the government and president's buildings. The car was later escorted away by the police. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (The Associated Press)

Polish security officials say a Russian citizen suspected of flying a drone over Polish government and president's buildings has been detained for questioning.

Warsaw police spokesman Mariusz Mrozek said Monday the man was detained on allegations he violated Poland's law that bans flying drones in cities without permission.

Natalia Markiewicz, spokeswoman for the Government Protection Office, said an officer spotted the drone flying in the guarded area around Prime Minister Beata Szydlo's office and of the nearby Belweder Palace, an office of President Andrzej Duda.

An Associated Press photographer saw a Porsche car with Moscow registration plates parked near Szydlo's office and then being driven away under police escort.

Warsaw's ties with Moscow are tense, especially over Russia's annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Ukraine.