Russian diplomat slams US hypocrisy over use of prisoners in California wildfire response

Spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Maria Zakharova has condemned the US hypocrisy over using prisoners to tackle California wildfires.

Zakharova has commented on reports that hundreds of prisoners have been enlisted to fight fires in California, highlighting the hypocrisy of the US, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Earlier, The Washington Post, citing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, reported that 395 prisoners were deployed to combat wildfires. Most of these individuals had committed relatively minor offenses.

In her Telegram channel, Zakharova pointed out that in recent years, US officials have repeatedly criticized China for allegedly using forced labour, particularly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The diplomat noted that in 2023, Washington restricted the import of products from several Chinese companies in an attempt to exclude goods allegedly produced using forced labour from Uyghur people from the US supply chain.  

"In this regard, a logical question arises. Will Congress draft a bill imposing sanctions on the authorities of California, private companies, and ordinary Americans for using prison labour to fight fires?" she wrote. "How tiresome this hypocrisy has become!"

The Palisades Fire, a roaring blaze that has burned nearly 20,000 acres since it broke out on January 7 morning in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, is currently the largest wildfire in the region. It grew out of a brush fire that exploded as powerful winds ripped through the area.

Wildfires surrounding Los Angeles intensified on January 8, spreading to the iconic Hollywood Hills, leaving devastation in their wake. Wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area have destroyed multiple celebrity homes and disrupted Hollywood's busy awards season. California firefighters continue battling the fires, with strong winds exacerbating the situation. The fires have destroyed iconic landmarks, including the historic Will Rogers ranch and parts of the Palisades Charter High School.

By Naila Huseynova