Austria orders four Russian diplomats out in spying dispute
Three embassy staff and an OSCE delegate must leave; Moscow has threatened retaliation.
Austria ordered four Russian diplomats to leave on October 23, citing findings by its security authorities. Three worked at the embassy in Vienna and one at Russia’s OSCE delegation for military security and arms control, Reuters reported.
An Austrian official separately told the Associated Press that the expulsions concerned espionage. The ministry did not specify the alleged conduct. Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Dmitry Lyubinsky, warned of retaliation, AP reported, citing TASS.
Austria has expelled 18 Russian diplomats since 2020. Its May expulsions involved concerns about rooftop antennas; authorities have not publicly established that connection for this group.
The dispute also exposes a gap in Austrian law: foreign espionage is punishable when it targets Austrian interests. The government is negotiating broader protection for international organizations, AP reported.
The expulsions are verified public actions; the underlying espionage allegation is attributed and not a judicial finding. Original Austrian statement not obtained directly; independent full Reuters and AP reports were read.
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