MOSCOW, June 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia is making strenuous efforts to release four officials from its Baghdad embassy abducted in the Iraqi capital in early June, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

A Web site often used by terrorists claimed earlier Monday that the Mujahideen Shura Council, a group linked to the Iraq wing of al-Qaeda, had kidnapped the embassy employees on June 3.

Spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said the ministry was thoroughly checking these reports.

"No matter what is behind this [abduction] we again urge the kidnappers to release the Russian citizens immediately and ensure their safety," he said.

One Russian diplomat was killed and four others kidnapped when unidentified gunmen attacked a Russian embassy car in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. The kidnappers have yet to make ransom or other demands for the hostages' freedom.

Kamynin also said "the abduction of the citizens of a country that is vigorously helping to restore peace in Iraq" could not be justified.