Norway Expels 15 Russian Diplomats Suspected of Spying
Norway's government
said Thursday that it was expelling 15 Russian diplomats from the country,
saying they were suspected of spying while working at the Russian Embassy in
Oslo.
Foreign Minister
Anniken Huitfeldt said the move was "an important measure to counter and
reduce the scope of Russian intelligence activities in Norway, and thereby
secure our national interests."
The Russians declared
persona non grata "must leave Norway within a short time," Huitfeldt
said, adding: "We will not grant visas to intelligence officers who apply
for a visa to Norway."
Norway's government
said the activities of the expelled diplomats were "incompatible with
their diplomatic status."
The foreign minister
stressed that Oslo wants "normal diplomatic relations with Russia, and
that Russian diplomats are welcome in Norway."
The Russian Foreign
Ministry said Moscow would respond in kind to Norway's action, Russia's Tass
and RIA Novosti news agencies reported.
A year ago, Norway
expelled three Russian diplomats it identified as intelligence officers.
A man whom the
Norwegian Police Security Service alleged used a false name and identity while
actually working for one of Russia's intelligence services also was arrested
last year.
VOA
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