Germany expelled a Russian embassy employee in Berlin on suspicion of espionage. In this regard, the Russian ambassador was summoned.
“The German government will not tolerate espionage in Germany, especially if it is protected under diplomatic status. Today, we called the Russian ambassador and informed him about the expulsion of a person involved in espionage on behalf of Russia,” the ministry said in a statement on social network X (as quoted by RIA Novosti).
The diplomat's name and position were not disclosed. According to Der Spiegel, we are talking about a deputy military attache.
“On Thursday, the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin summoned the Russian ambassador for a conversation. At a meeting with the political director of the Ministry, the Kremlin diplomat was informed that the deputy military attaché of the embassy must immediately leave Germany,” the publication writes (translated by RIA Novosti).
Der Spiegel, citing sources, reported that the diplomat worked for one of Russia's intelligence agencies and had probably supervised a woman previously detained on espionage charges for a long period of time. Embassy staff were ordered to leave Germany within 72 hours.
On Wednesday, the German Federal Prosecutor's Office announced the arrest of German and Ukrainian citizen Ilona V. on suspicion of working for the Russian intelligence agency. The department did not provide any evidence.
