Austria expels three Russian diplomats over alleged spy equipment

Austria has expelled three Russian diplomats, declaring them personae non gratae over what authorities described as a cluster of antennas on the roofs of diplomatic buildings that could be used for intelligence gathering, the government announced on May 4.

Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said it was “unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be misused for espionage,” and confirmed that the individuals had already departed the country, Caliber.Az reports, citing Reuters.

The latest expulsions bring the total number of Russian diplomats removed by Austria since 2020 to 14.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov