Austria expels four Russian diplomats and declares them persona non grata
The Austrian Foreign Ministry says the diplomats carried out activities incompatible with their diplomatic status; three at the embassy and one with the OSCE.
Austria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered four Russian diplomats to leave the country after declaring them persona non grata, the ministry said in a brief statement.
Diplomatic status breach cited
The ministry said the diplomats had engaged in activities that were not compatible with their diplomatic status. Vienna did not elaborate on the specific behaviour but confirmed the expulsions were effective immediately.
Austrian foreign minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger issued the order that all four must depart Austria without delay. The government said the move reflects Austria's position that accredited envoys must respect the limits of their diplomatic privileges.
Three of the affected diplomats were assigned to the Russian embassy in Vienna; the fourth was a member of Russia's delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The decision adds to a pattern of European states taking diplomatic measures in response to activities they judge incompatible with diplomatic status. Austrian officials did not release further details about the case.
Photo: Avstrisko MNR)
