Austria has expelled three Russian diplomats accused of using advanced surveillance equipment to spy on international organizations. The diplomats used a "forest of antennas" installed on the roofs of diplomatic buildings in Vienna to intercept data from satellite internet communications, according to Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger.
Key Takeaways
Austria has expelled three Russian diplomats accused of using advanced surveillance equipment to spy on international organizations. The diplomats used antennas installed on the roofs of diplomatic buildings in Vienna to intercept data from satellite internet communications.
- Austria expels three Russian diplomats for spying
- Diplomats allegedly intercepted data via antennas at embassy and compound
- Russia vows harsh retaliation, calling expulsions unjustified
- Espionage activities target international organizations based in Vienna
The antennas were discovered at the Russian embassy and a nearby diplomatic compound. Austria has historically been a hub for espionage due to its location and lenient laws regarding foreign intelligence activities that do not directly target Austria's interests. The recent expulsions bring the total number of Russian diplomats expelled since 2020 to 14.
The Russian embassy in Vienna described the decision as "outrageous" and "unjustified," promising harsh retaliation. Meinl-Reisinger emphasized that espionage is a security issue for Austria and that diplomatic immunity should not be used to protect spies. The Austrian government has announced plans to close legal loopholes that have allowed spies to operate freely in the country.
The expulsions come amid ongoing tensions between Austria and Russia, including the trial of Egisto Ott, a former Austrian counter-espionage official accused of handing information to Russian intelligence officers. Ott's case is one of the largest spy trials in Austria in recent years. Additionally, Jan Marsalek, an Austrian citizen believed to have been spying for Russia, remains a fugitive thought to be in Moscow.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 3 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.