Austria expelled three Russian Embassy employees who were suspected of espionage for using antennas on Russian diplomatic buildings to intercept data in Vienna. Austrian authorities suspected the diplomats of spying activities using antennas on roofs of the Russian Embassy in Vienna and another diplomatic compound in the Donaustadt district. The installations were allegedly used to intercept data transmitted by international organizations based in Vienna via satellite internet. Austria, which hosts numerous UN agencies and other international bodies, confirmed this in a statement by Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. The expelled diplomats were suspected of engaging in espionage affecting organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Austria's Foreign Minister emphasized that espionage is a security issue and that the government has changed its course to take decisive action, clearly indicating it is unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used for espionage. The Russian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to protest and requests to lift immunity were refused, leading to expulsions. Austria is tightening its espionage laws to punish espionage by foreign services if it targets Austrian interests, with a call to extend similar protections to international organizations.

Austria expelled three Russian Embassy employees who were suspected of espionage for using antennas on Russian diplomatic buildings to intercept data in Vienna. Austrian authorities suspected the diplomats of spying activities using antennas on roofs of the Russian Embassy in Vienna and another diplomatic compound in the Donaustadt district. The installations were allegedly used to intercept data transmitted by international organizations based in Vienna via satellite internet. Austria, which hosts numerous UN agencies and other international bodies, confirmed this in a statement by Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger. The expelled diplomats were suspected of engaging in espionage affecting organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Austria's Foreign Minister emphasized that espionage is a security issue and that the government has changed its course to take decisive action, clearly indicating it is unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used for espionage. The Russian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to protest and requests to lift immunity were refused, leading to expulsions. Austria is tightening its espionage laws to punish espionage by foreign services if it targets Austrian interests, with a call to extend similar protections to international organizations.