Russia to Expel an Austrian Diplomat from Moscow

According ‌to the English section of webangah News‍ Agency, citing Mehr News Agency‍ and RIA novosti, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the ⁣Russian foreign Ministry, stated Tuesday that in ​response to Austria’s expulsion ⁢of one of Russia’s diplomats, Moscow will ⁢take reciprocal⁣ measures‍ against Austria.

Zakharova ⁢added that soon ‌an ⁤austrian diplomat holding a rank equivalent⁣ to that of the expelled Russian diplomat‌ will be expelled from Moscow.

Austria ⁣expelled a Russian diplomat on suspicion of espionage amid an investigation involving a long-time employee at OMV accused⁣ of leaking corporate secrets ‌to the Kremlin.

The expelled individual left Vienna after‍ Russia ​refused to waive his diplomatic immunity to permit espionage ⁣investigations.

The Austrian Foreign Ministry declared him ⁣persona non grata ‌and gave him a deadline to leave Vienna’s territory.