Austria brands three Russian diplomats 'personae non gratae' after 'spying antenna forest' erected on roof

Austria has declared three Russian diplomats "personae non gratae" following concerns over a collection of satellite dishes mounted on Russian diplomatic properties in Vienna, the government announced on Monday.

The installations, described as an "antenna forest," have been under scrutiny by Austrian intelligence services for years.

Suspicions suggest they could be employed to eavesdrop on other nations' satellite communications.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger condemned the alleged activities in a statement.

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She said: "It is unacceptable that diplomatic immunity be used to commit espionage."

The minister confirmed that all three diplomats have already departed Austrian territory.

Austrian broadcaster ORF identified the expelled individuals as Russian embassy staff, a characterisation subsequently verified by the foreign ministry without providing additional details.

The Directorate for State Security and Intelligence, Austria's primary domestic security agency, has monitored the rooftop equipment for an extended period.

Sylvia Mayer, who leads the directorate, addressed journalists about the threat posed by the installations but offered limited explanation, citing only their scale and characteristics as factors of concern.

She declined to elaborate on why authorities chose this particular moment to act.

With these latest expulsions, Austria has now removed 14 Russian diplomatic personnel from the country since 2020.

Moscow has signalled it will not let the matter rest.

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The Russian embassy in Vienna did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

The Russian news agency RIA reported that the embassy warned the Kremlin would respond severely to Austria's decision.

Vienna occupies a unique position in international diplomacy.

It serves as host to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and various United Nations bodies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Major powers such as Russia and the United States typically maintain separate ambassadors to Austria, the OSCE and UN organisations, each operating their own embassy or mission in the city.

This concentration of diplomatic activity creates opportunities for intelligence operatives to work under diplomatic cover, shielded by immunity from prosecution.

The Austrian capital's reputation as a centre for espionage stretches back decades.

Following the Second World War, Vienna was carved into Allied sectors, establishing conditions that made it a notorious hub for intelligence gathering throughout the Cold War era and beyond.

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