Italy expels two spies working at the Russian embassy
Photo: Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani (Getty Images)
Italy is expelling two Russian military attachés over their alleged involvement in espionage uncovered during an investigation by Rome prosecutors, according to ANSA.
What Italy said
The decision to expel the Russian diplomats came after two former Italian intelligence officers were arrested earlier this week on suspicion of spying for Russia.
"The Italian government has decided to expel two military attachés from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Italy, who are responsible for the espionage activities uncovered in the investigation by the Rome Public Prosecutor's Office," Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.
According to Italy's top diplomat, the Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Rome and informed him of the names of the diplomats who must leave the country.
"Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilyevich Astakhov must leave Rome within three days," Tajani said.
Rome's assessment
Italy's Deputy Prime Minister strongly condemned Moscow's actions.
"Moscow continues to use its hybrid weapons to attack the West and Italy. This is a serious and unacceptable interference with Italian institutions and national security," Tajani said.
Moscow's response
Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow would "respond" to the expulsion of the two military attachés.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian intelligence services have significantly intensified espionage and sabotage activities across Europe.
According to Lithuania's State Security Department, European countries have expelled more than 400 Russian intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover over the past several years.
Earlier, Austria convicted former intelligence officer Egisto Ott, who spied for the Kremlin between 2015 and 2020.
