Moscow claims Eurovision vote theft
Russia is investigating an alleged vote theft at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov was meeting his counterpart from Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic which is trying to find out why its announced votes did not give any points to Russia.
Azerbaijan’s foreign minister, Elmar Mammadyarov, said the country’s mobile phone operators reported that Russia’s Dina Garipova came second in the local vote, which would have given her 10 points.
Mr Lavrov called it an “outrageous incident.” Russians take Eurovision very seriously.
Garipova finished fifth overall on Saturday, 17 points behind fourth-placed Norway.
Azerbaijani television is investigating. It was unclear where any mistake or vote manipulation might have occurred.
