Slovakia Expels Three Russian Diplomats

Bratislava, August 10 (TASR) - Slovakia expelled three Russian diplomats over their alleged involvement with Russian intelligence services, director of Foreign and European Affairs Ministry press department Juraj Tomaga confirmed to TASR on Monday. It was TV Markiza that broke the story first on its evening news show. "I can't release the names of Russian diplomatic mission members, but I confirm that a decision was passed to expel three diplomats of the Russian Federation's Embassy to Slovakia," claimed Tomaga. The decision was made last week and the diplomats must remove themselves from Slovakia over the course of this week. According to Tomaga, Slovak intelligence services determined that activities of the three diplomats were in breach of the Vienna Agreeement on Diplomatic Relations. "Furthermore, visa issued by the Slovak Consulate General in St. Petersburg were misused and in this context, a serious crime was committed on the soil of other NATO and EU member state," added Tomaga. The Slovak diplomacy underlines that it has an interest in developing bilateral ties with Russia. "However, the activities of Russian diplomats in the Slovak Republic must be in compliance with the Vienna Agreement on Diplomatic Relations and common norms," stated Tomaga. Aktuality.sk website reported on the same day that the three expelled Russian diplomats doubled as intelligence operatives with diplomatic cover. mf