Three  staff members of the U.S. embassy in Russia have been suspected of stealing personal belongings of a Russian citizen, TASS news agency reported Friday citing the Russian Foreign Ministry. 

The ministry has sent a note to the U.S. mission requesting it to lift diplomatic immunity from the three persons so that they can be brought to justice, according to TASS. 

If the U.S. embassy refuses, the suspects must leave Russia immediately, the ministry said, providing no details of the case. 

(Cover: The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. National flag are seen in Moscow, Russia, May 11, 2021. /AP)