Russian diplomat stabbed in Canada

A Russian diplomat was stabbed Friday in the Canadian capital following a drunken quarrel, AFP reports according to officials and media reports. Ottawa police said they responded to an emergency call at 8:43 am (1243 GMT) about a stabbing near the Russian Embassy and found a 44-year-old man suffering from "stab wounds." The victim was taken to hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, while a second man was taken into custody for questioning. John Babcock, spokesman for Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, told AFP that government officials have been in touch with the Russian Embassy. "Thus far, we have nothing to indicate this was a politically motivated incident in nature," he said. The Ottawa Citizen daily reported that the two men had been drinking in an apartment a few blocks from the Russian mission when an argument broke out. The diplomat was stabbed in the arm and back and fled to the lobby, where he was found by police, according to the report. The victim was reportedly drunk and belligerent with authorities, claiming initially that he had been bitten by a dog. The Russian Embassy declined to comment on the incident.