Austria expels three Russian embassy staff after 'forest of antennae' discovered
5 hours ago
- #Espionage
- #Austria-Russia Tensions
- #Diplomatic Relations
- Austria expelled three Russian embassy staff for suspected espionage related to illicit data collection using 'forest of antennae' on the mission in Vienna.
- Austria's foreign minister emphasized that diplomatic immunity should not shield espionage, noting 14 Russian diplomats have been expelled since 2020.
- Russia condemned the expulsions as 'outrageous' and 'politically motivated,' promising harsh retaliation.
- Espionage involves systematic data siphoning via embassy equipment, targeting international organizations in Vienna like OPEC, IAEA, and OSCE.
- Austria plans to close a legal loophole that allows foreign spies to operate freely unless directly targeting Austrian interests, addressing Vienna's role as an espionage hub.
- Pressure for action increased after the arrest of Egisto Ott, a former counter-espionage official accused of aiding Russian intelligence.
- Austria's coalition government is drafting legislation to criminalize espionage against the EU and Vienna-based international organizations, expanding definitions of espionage.
- Ott allegedly assisted Russia in tracking opponents of Vladimir Putin and sold government devices, linked to fugitive Jan Marsalek, who is believed to have worked for Russian intelligence.
- Marsalek, associated with Wirecard's collapse, is suspected of running spy rings, including in London, and fleeing to Moscow.