Russia condemns Austria’s expulsion of diplomats, vows response

Russia has warned it will respond to Austria’s decision to expel three Russian diplomats, calling the move “unjustified” and politically motivated.

In a statement, the Russian Embassy in Vienna described the expulsions as “outrageous," Caliber.Az reports. 

“We have taken note of the outrageous decision by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to declare staff members of the Russian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the OSCE personae non gratae. We consider this latest unfriendly move by the Austrian authorities to be completely unjustified, politically motivated, and categorically unacceptable,” the embassy said.

Earlier, it was reported that Austria announced the expulsion of three Russian diplomats on May 4, declaring them personae non gratae, citing concerns that a cluster of antennas installed on the roofs of diplomatic buildings could have been used for intelligence-gathering activities.

By Sabina Mammadli