People block a street during a protest against the lack of gas in Tucupita, Venezuela November 27, 2018. Picture taken November 27, 2018. (REUTERS PHOTO)

MOSCOW, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday denied media reports that Moscow attempted to buy in Malta tear gas and riot gear meant to be transported to Venezuela by military ship.

"We believe that the misinformation that was widespread in the Maltese media is an example of lack of professionalism and an echo of anti-Russian hysteria, the swelling of which is not in the interests of Russian-Maltese friendship," it said in a statement.

In April, a number of Maltese media outlets quoted the London edition of the U.S. BuzzFeed Internet portal as saying that Russia attempted to buy tear gas and riot gear from a local supplier, with the involvement of the Russian embassy.

The Russian foreign ministry noted that the Russian diplomatic mission based in the Maltese capital Valletta works in strict accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and that Russian diplomats do not take part in any secret special operation.