Austria expels three Russian diplomats suspected of spying. The reason was antennas installed on diplomatic buildings

Austria expels three Russian diplomats suspected of spying. The reason was antennas installed on diplomatic buildings

Three Russian diplomats have been declared personae non gratae in Austria, the country’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said. The reason for expelling the diplomats was the placement of a “forest of antennas” on Russian diplomatic buildings in Austria, which Vienna believes could be used for spying.

“It is unacceptable to use diplomatic immunity to commit espionage,” Austria’s foreign minister said.

Reuters notes that this brings the number of Russian diplomats expelled from Austria since 2020 to 14.

Commenting on the expulsion of the diplomats, the Russian Embassy in Vienna promised a “harsh response” to the Austrian side’s “thoughtless actions.”

@meduzalive

Reuters

Austria expels three Russian diplomats over signals spying

Austria declared three Russian diplomats personae non gratae over an "antenna forest" on the roofs of diplomatic buildings that could be used for spying, the government said on Monday.