US EditionAustria expels 3 Russian Embassy staff over suspected antenna spying in Vienna
The foreign ministry said the diplomats used rooftop antennas to intercept satellite internet data from international organizations, and all three have already left Austria.
- On Monday, Austria expelled three Russian Embassy employees suspected of espionage, citing their use of antennas on diplomatic buildings to intercept satellite data from international organizations in Vienna.
- Authorities suspected the diplomats of spying activities in Vienna and the Donaustadt district, but Russia refused requests to lift their immunity for investigation, forcing the expulsions.
- Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated Austria is tightening espionage laws to protect international organizations, declaring it "unacceptable" for diplomatic immunity to facilitate spying.
- In a Telegram post on Monday, Moscow labeled the decision "outrageous," warning that Vienna bears responsibility for the further deterioration of bilateral relations to a historical low.
- Austria, a European Union member with a policy of military neutrality, was initially hesitant to take such action but has recently expelled more Russian diplomats amid broader regional tensions since 2022.
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69 Articles
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger says government taking 'decisive stance' against espionage
Array of Spy Antennas Prompts Austria to Expel Russian Envoys
Austria expelled three Russian diplomats suspected of espionage after investigators linked their activities to an apparent expansion of signals-intelligence capabilities at Russian embassy buildings in Vienna.
The government in Vienna no longer wants to accept the "antenna forest" at the Russian embassy. Three employees have apparently already left the country.
Austria expels 3 Russian staff over suspected espionage via embassy antennas
The ministry confirmed a report aired Sunday by the Austrian public broadcaster ORF, which said Austrian authorities suspected the three diplomats of engaging in spying activities using antennas on the roofs of the Russian Embassy in Vienna and a diplomatic compound in the Donaustadt district.
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