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Russia expels two Czech diplomats in spy row

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-19 00:48

MOSCOW: Russia has ordered two Czech diplomats out of Russia, Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, in a spying row between two countries at odds over US plans to install an anti-missile system in Europe.

The expulsion follows Czech media reports on Monday that two Russians had been ordered out of Prague, including a deputy military attache. Prague has previously complained about an increase in Russian spying, linking it to the US plans.

Formerly part of the Soviet bloc, the Czech Republic is now a member of NATO and the European Union. Its relations with Moscow have cooled over its interest in hosting a US radar base and its support for Georgia during last August's war.

"This unfriendly act by the Czech side, which declared two of our diplomats 'persona non grata', could not be left without a response," the Russian official told Interfax. "Two Czech embassy workers in Moscow were told to leave Russia."

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"It is surprising that this information became public knowledge despite the fact that the Czech side itself proposed not to allow any leaks," the Russian official told Interfax.

The Czech expulsions were first reported by the website www.idnes.cz on Monday.

When asked about the report, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said it was "another provocation".

Russia has also been involved in the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats in recent months with both Ukraine and NATO.