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| Europe |
| 'British tip-off' led to arrest of retired Austrian colonel suspected of spying for Russia |
| 2018-11-13 |
| [The Telegraph] British intelligence provided the tip-off that led to the arrest of a retired Austrian army officer on suspicion of spying for Russia, an Austrian newspaper has claimed. The tip-off was politically motivated and came amid British displeasure at the Austrian government’s refusal to distance itself from Russia in the wake of the Skripal poisoning, Kleine Zeitung newspaper alleged. British and Austrian authorities declined to confirm or comment on the claims. Sebastian Kurz, the Austrian chancellor, said last week the case had been brought to authorities’ attention by a tip-off from a "friendly intelligence service". The suspect, an unnamed 70-year-old retired colonel in the Austrian army, is being held on charges of spying for Russia over a 20-year period. He is alleged to have passed details of Austrian weapons systems and other secrets to Russia in exchange for payments of €300,000 (£260,000). The case has severely shaken normally warm relations between Austria and Russia. Mr Kurz, who previously spoke of wanting his country to be a "bridge" between Russia and the West, has demanded an explanation from Moscow. Initial reports last week suggested the tip-off came from Germany. But Kleine Zeitung quoted an unnamed "senior officer" in the Austrian army as saying it had come from Britain. The officer believes British intelligence acted deliberately in order to distance Austria from Russia, the newspaper claimed. Austria was one of few Western countries not to expel any Russian diplomats in the wake of the Skripal poisoning affair in Salisbury, and senior figures in the Austrian government have close links to Russia. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #2 Austria was divided up just like Germany after the war. Per agreement among the powers, all pulled their occupation forces and administrations out in the 50s. Since then the former participant known as the USSR disappeared. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2018-11-13 10:55 |
| #1 I thought Austria was supposed to be neutral since shortly after the end of WW2. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2018-11-13 09:49 |