Austria Expels Three Russian Diplomats Over Espionage Claims

Austria has expelled three staff members of the Russian embassy in Vienna on suspicion of intelligence activities. The move was confirmed by the Foreign Ministry after public broadcaster ORF reported extensive listening devices on buildings belonging to the Russian diplomatic mission.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said espionage posed a security risk and that the government had opted for a tougher approach. She stressed that the abuse of diplomatic immunity for such activities was unacceptable.

According to ORF, the expelled staff members have already left the country. The investigation concerned devices on the roofs of the embassy and in an area housing Russian diplomatic residences, which were allegedly used to intercept communications.

The Russian ambassador was summoned to the ministry in mid-April, but Moscow did not comply with a request to lift the immunity of the people concerned within a set deadline.

According to media reports, the devices were intended to intercept data transmitted via the satellite internet networks of international organizations. The United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for example, are based in Vienna.

Security experts have long described the Austrian capital as Europe’s espionage hub. After the authorities took action, Russia reportedly removed some of the listening devices.

(spiegel, bak)