The Russian Embassy in Prague has requested police protection for one of its diplomats after Czech media named the official as being part of an alleged assassination plot against local politicians.

Czech magazine Respekt reported last month that a suspected Russian intelligence agent had recently traveled to the Czech capital on a diplomatic passport with a suitcase containing ricin. The suspected intelligence agent was there to assassinate Prague Mayor Zdenek Hrib and Ondrej Kolar, a politician, the publication reported, citing anonymous sources in Czech intelligence.