Spy affair: Russia expels Polish diplomats
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
17.11.2014 10:54
The Russian Federation has expelled several Polish diplomats just days after an alleged Russian spymaster was banished from Poland.
Image: EPA
Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Brisbane, Australia 16 November 2014. EPA/Mikhail Klimentyev
Russia's foreign ministry stated on its official website that the expulsions were in response to what it called “the harsh and unwarranted step” that Poland had taken towards an employee at the Russian embassy in Warsaw.
Last week, a man employed at the Warsaw embassy was expelled for his alleged contacts with Zbigniew J. (full name withheld under Polish privacy laws), a Polish army officer who was recently arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia.
Polish foreign minister Grzegorz Schetyna told journalists in Brussels that the Russian riposte is “a symmetrical response” and that “the case is closed.”
According to Russia's foreign ministry, the Polish diplomats in question have already left Russian territory.
Besides Colonel Zbigniew J., one other Polish citizen, a lawyer, was also arrested in mid-October. (nh)
Source: PAP/IAR