The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the expulsion of three Russian diplomats

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On the 4th, Austria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Austrian government, in April, had declared three Russian diplomats “persona non grata” and expelled them from the country. The Russian Embassy in Austria said that the expulsions by the Austrian side were politically motivated, and that Russia would respond firmly.

Austria’s public broadcaster reported on the evening of the 3rd that the Austrian side accused the Russian diplomats of being involved in satellite espionage activities in Vienna, using satellite equipment located within the Russian Embassy in Vienna and in the residential compounds of the Russian diplomats to steal data related to international organizations and other institutions based in Vienna. Initially in April, Austria requested the removal of their diplomatic immunity, but the Russian side did not comply. After that, Austria announced that they were “persona non grata” and demanded that they leave within a set deadline.

In a statement on the 4th, Austria’s Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger said that it is unacceptable to carry out espionage activities under diplomatic immunity. Espionage is a security issue facing Austria, and the Austrian government will take resolute measures to curb foreign espionage activities. The statement confirmed that the three diplomats have left Austria.

On the same day, the Russian Embassy in Austria issued a statement saying that Austria’s announcement to expel Russian diplomats “without any justification” was politically motivated. The Austrian side should be held responsible for the deterioration of bilateral relations, and Russia would respond firmly. In its statement, the Russian side also said that, as with the previous expulsions, Austria did not provide any alleged evidence of violations of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, let alone conclusive evidence.

As of this point, the number of Russian diplomats expelled by Austria since 2020 has reached 14. (Xinhua)

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