Austria expels 3 Russian embassy employees on suspicion of spying on an antenna in Vienna
VIENNA — The Austrian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that Austria had expelled three Russian embassy employees suspected of spying using antennas on Russian diplomatic buildings.
The ministry confirmed a report broadcast by Austrian public broadcaster ORF on Sunday, which stated that Austrian authorities suspected the three diplomats of involvement in espionage activities using antennas on the roofs of the Russian embassy in Vienna and a diplomatic compound in the Donaustadt region.
ORF reported that these facilities allowed Russia to intercept data sent by international organizations based in Vienna over the Internet via satellite.
Austria hosts several United Nations agencies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Austrian Foreign Minister Bethe Meinel Reisinger said in a statement, “Espionage is a security problem for Austria. In this government, we have changed our course and are taking decisive measures against it.”
“We have made this unequivocally clear to the Russian side, as well as regarding the antenna array at the Russian embassy. One thing is clear: it is unacceptable to use diplomatic immunity to engage in espionage.”
Western European countries and Russia have expelled each other’s diplomats on several occasions since then Moscow’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine In February 2022. Austria, an EU member with a policy of military neutrality, was initially reluctant to take such action, but has recently backed down. More expulsion Russian diplomats.
According to ORF, the Russian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in April due to the activities of the diplomats. The Russian side was asked to lift immunity to allow prosecutors to pursue the investigation, but refused, leading to the expulsions, ORF reported. She added that they had already left Austria.
The Foreign Minister said in her statement that Austria is currently working to tighten the espionage law to prevent such cases. the The legislation is now in effect Espionage carried out by foreign services is punishable only if it targets Austrian interests. According to the Austrian News Agency, the changes proposed by the government will call for similar protection measures when it comes to international organizations.
The Russian embassy in Vienna did not respond to a request for comment. She wrote in a post on the Telegram app on Monday that she had taken note of Austria’s “scandalous” decision regarding its employees.
The statement said that Moscow will respond strongly, adding that “Vienna bears full responsibility for the further deterioration of bilateral relations, which have already reached their lowest historical levels.”
