Austria expels three Russian diplomats over spying accusations
Austria has expelled three Russian diplomats after accusing them of spying from diplomatic premises in Vienna.
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said the diplomats had already left the country.
The Austrian foreign ministry said the case involved a "forest of antennas" installed on the roofs of diplomatic buildings.
A report by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, confirmed by the ministry, said the antennas were on the roof of the Russian embassy in Vienna and at a Russian diplomatic compound.
Meinl-Reisinger said espionage was a security issue for Austria and that the government was taking decisive action.
She said it was unacceptable for diplomatic immunity to be used to carry out espionage.
The Russian embassy rejected the accusations, calling Austria's move unjustified, politically motivated and unacceptable.
It said Moscow would respond harshly to what it described as ill-considered actions by the Austrian side.
The dispute matters because Austrian officials say the antennas may have been used to intercept data sent via satellite internet by organisations, including international ones.
