The Austrian Foreign Minister announced a crackdown on Russian espionage
Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated on the sidelines of a meeting with her EU counterparts that Vienna would no longer tolerate espionage activities on its territory, particularly those carried out by Russia. According to her, the Austrian authorities have already communicated this position to the Russian side.
This was reported by Kronen Zeitung.
"We will no longer turn a blind eye to espionage on Austrian territory. We have clearly stated this, agreed upon it in the government program, and made it unambiguously clear to the Russians," she said on Monday in Brussels.
Austria has demanded that Russia provide “a full explanation regarding this forest of antennas,” the foreign minister continued, referring to the satellite antennas on the buildings of the Russian mission in Vienna. According to her, the forest has been “thinned out,” meaning “the antennas on the Russian side have been dismantled.” “This is an important step,” said Mainl-Raisinger.
She added that by expelling three Russian diplomats, Austria had demonstrated that it would no longer tolerate espionage.
"Any espionage on our territory affects our own interests, our own security, and therefore this is over," the minister added.
Austria willjoin the agreement on the Special Tribunal regarding Russia’s aggression.
France has joined the agreement on a special tribunal regarding Russian aggression
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset stated that a special tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine could be established as early as this year following the approval of an international agreement.
