Reinforced police cordons that guarded the transfer of Mikhail Khodorkovsky to Chita’s court and Prosecutor's office have not improved the situation as far as crime is concerned. Chita is still the host of most high-profile crimes. Just two weeks after the robbery of Sberbank in the city centre, a British diplomat was beaten up.

Nigel Gould-Davies, first secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow, arrived in Chita on May 24 on an unofficial visit. According to Zabaikalskoye information agency, the diplomat met representatives of the Commission on economy and international cooperation in the oblast’s administration and students at Chita state university.

Two unidentified persons attacked Gould-Davies at night on May 26 in Teatralnaya square. Doctors confirmed that the British citizen had received a light blow to the head.

Regnovosti information agency reports that Gould-Davies flew to Moscow today. The interior department in Chita’s central region is carrying out an investigation into the night attack.