Austria has expelled three staff members of the Russian embassy over suspicions of espionage conducted using antennas on diplomatic buildings in Vienna. Austria’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the decision on Monday, while the Russian embassy called it “outrageous”.
According to Austrian public broadcaster ORF, which reported on Sunday, authorities suspected these diplomats of espionage activities. ORF stated that installations on the roofs of the Russian embassy in Vienna and a diplomatic complex in the Donaustadt district allowed Russia to intercept data transmitted via satellite internet by international organizations based in Vienna. These include several UN agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said that “espionage is a security problem for Austria.” She added: “With this government, we have changed course and are taking decisive action against it. This was also unequivocally communicated to the Russian side regarding the antenna complex at the Russian embassy.”
How Austria is Responding to Espionage
Despite its policy of military neutrality, Austria, a member of the European Union, has recently toughened its stance on expelling Russian diplomats. This comes amid numerous mutual expulsions of diplomats between Western European countries and Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
According to ORF, the Russian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in April regarding the diplomats’ activities. The Russian side was asked to waive their diplomatic immunity, which would have allowed prosecutors to conduct an investigation. Russia’s refusal to waive immunity led to the expulsion decision. The expelled diplomats have already left Austria.
Austria’s Next Steps
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger also announced that Austria is currently strengthening its espionage laws. The aim of these changes is to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Source: Euronews
