US must guarantee rights of foreign citizens: Russia

Moscow expects the US to guarantee the rights of Russian citizens during operations against terrorism, the foreign ministry said Wednesday.

"We hope (the US) will guarantee non-violation of the rights of Russian citizens and other countries' nationals during anti-terrorist operations," Xinhua quoted the ministry's envoy for human rights, democracy and supremacy of law Konstantin Dolgov as saying.

He said the topic had been constantly raised during bilateral contacts.

The leaks by former US spy agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed Washington used its legislation exterritorially, harming citizens of many countries, including Russians, Dolgov said.

As an active user of iPhone and iPad, the diplomat said he would not be happy the US secret services tap his communications.

"The fight against terror should not damage human rights," Dolgov said.

If the U.S. imposed sanctions against Moscow for alleged human rights violations, Moscow would retaliate, Dolgov warned.

"The measures will be not necessarily similar but adequate," he said.

The US Department of State published the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 in which Washington slammed Moscow for its handling of human trafficking.