Italian authorities have decided to expel two military attaches serving at the Russian embassy. The move is tied to a Rome prosecutors’ investigation into alleged espionage activity, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.
According to the foreign minister, the Russian ambassador in Rome has already been informed that Ivan Petrovich Gorbachev and Mikhail Vasilievich Astakhov must leave the city within three days.
“Moscow continues to use its hybrid weapons to attack the West and Italy. This is a serious and unacceptable interference in Italian institutions and national security,” Tajani said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry responded by saying Moscow would give an “appropriate response” to the Italian authorities’ decision.
What the investigation says
On July 7, the Rome prosecutor’s office announced the detention of two former Italian intelligence officers. Investigators suspect them of passing secret information related to national security to an alleged Russian intelligence agent who enjoys diplomatic immunity in Italy.
According to investigators, that alleged Russian agent was in contact with 59-year-old Sardinia native Gavino Raul Piras and 59-year-old Matera native Vincenzo Di Pasquale. Both are former employees of Italy’s Internal Information and Security Agency.
The case also includes five other suspects, among them four military personnel. They are suspected of gathering information concerning state security, political or military espionage, and disclosing state secrets.