Wisma Putra said it was not officially informed of the detention of the Malaysian fourth-year medical student in Moscow last week.

In a statement released last night, Wisma Putra said it had tried to gain access to the student after receiving the news but could not do so because he was not officially charged.

On Sept 2, Russian National Research Medical University (RNRMU-M2) fourth year medical student M. Murugan Pillai was denied entry by the Russian authorities at the Domodedovo International Airport, Moscow.

Murugan was going back to Russia to continue his studies after his semester break.

Wisma Putra said it will work closely with the Russian authorities to ensure that Murugan’s welfare is protected.

It also denied Murugan’s claims that he was only given one meal a day during his detention at the airport.

“He was given three meals a day while waiting for the next available flight out,” it said.

Murugan was detained at the airport for five days before being deported on Sunday. He arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday.

The Russian authorities did not specify the reason for refusing entry for Murugan.