Italy expels two Russian military attachés for espionage
Italy's Foreign Ministry decided on July 9 to expel two military attachés from the Russian embassy in Rome, suspected of spying for Moscow.
The Secretary-General of the Italian Foreign Ministry informed the Russian ambassador in Rome that attachés Ivan Gorbachev and Mikhail Astakhov must leave Italy within three days. The decision came after an investigation by the Rome prosecutor's office revealed their involvement in espionage activities.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that Moscow continues to use hybrid means to attack the West and Italy, calling it serious and unacceptable interference in Italian institutions and national security.
The expulsion followed the arrest in Rome of two former intelligence officers on suspicion of spying for Russia. They are believed to have passed secret information to a likely Russian intelligence agent who enjoys diplomatic immunity in the country.
Earlier last week, Sweden detained two individuals, a Chinese and a Malaysian citizen, on suspicion of espionage.
