Moscow Says Expressed Protest to Austrian Ambassador Over Ex-Colonel Spying Accusations
Moscow expressed protest to Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Aigner over the accusations that a retired Austrian colonel had been involved in intelligence activities allegedly in favor of Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 09th November, 2018) Moscow expressed protest to Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Aigner over the accusations that a retired Austrian colonel had been involved in intelligence activities allegedly in favor of Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.
"In connection with the statements by the Austrian authorities about the suspicion of involvement of some former colonel of the Austrian Armed Forces in intelligence activities, allegedly in favor of Russia, we expressed protest," the statement said.
The ministry said Vienna's steps were based on suspicions without evidence, adding that Austria's statements over the spy scandal had already complicated bilateral relations.
The Kronen Zeitung media outlet has previously reported that a former Austrian Armed Forces colonel had been detained on suspicion of spying in favor of Russia for 20 years. The Russian Embassy declined to comment on the media reports.