Russia expels two British diplomats for spying
Russia has expelled two British diplomats on suspicion of carrying out espionage activities, the country's domestic security service said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation ordered the two men connected to the British embassy to leave the country within two weeks.
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said they were involved in “intelligence and subversive activities.”
“Counterintelligence work had revealed an undeclared British intelligence presence under the cover of the national embassy,” FSB said.
It said on its Telegram account that the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned an embassy envoy for discussions on this matter.
The security service also said the two “deliberately provided false information when obtaining a permit to enter our country, thus violating Russian legislation.”
Meanwhile, Tass state news agency identified the two British nationals as a second secretary of the British embassy and the spouse of another British diplomat.
It said the FSB found “signs of intelligence and sabotage work” by the two individuals who “threatened Russia’s national security.”
London, in response to Moscow's move, accused the Russians of making “malicious and baseless” claims against British diplomats.
“This is not the first time that Russia has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff,” claimed a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office.
Diplomatic relations between London and Moscow have become increasingly strained since Number 10 accused the Kremlin of being behind the death of Alexander Litvinenko in the British capital in 2006.
Also, the expulsion of dozens of Russian diplomats from London and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine have further exacerbated diplomatic relations between the British and Russian capitals.
Iranian, Russian, Chinese forces to hold joint naval exercise: Beijing
Russia launches attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
Russia calls on Syria's new administration 'to stop the bloodshed'
Israel to endorse construction of 1,030 illegal settler units in al-Quds
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Detained Gaza hospital chief ‘suffered torture’ at Israel’s notorious prison: lawyer
VIDEO | Lack of fuel paralyzes Gaza’s bakeries
VIDEO | Pakistan’s Third International Palestine Conference urges action against Israeli crimes
Unchecked expansionism: Senior Knesset member calls for ‘full Israeli control of Syria’
Hamas rejects Israeli threats, asserts negotiations only way to save captives’ lives
Iran Autism Association says Western sanctions impose severe restrictions on patients
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
