Overview
- Austria expelled three Russian diplomats over suspected spying that authorities say used satellite equipment mounted on rooftops of Russian mission buildings in Vienna, and local reports say the officials have since left the country.
- The expulsions came after Austria summoned Russia’s ambassador in mid-April to seek waivers of the officials’ diplomatic immunity, a request Moscow refused.
- Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said the government has shifted policy to act consistently against espionage and pointed to a “forest of antennas” at the Russian mission.
- She said Austria will move to tighten its espionage law, which now applies only when spying directly targets Austria, a gap that has limited prosecutions.
- Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Austria has revoked the status of 14 Russian officials, yet roughly 220 staff still work at Russian diplomatic missions in the country, according to ORF.