Czech Republic Warns of Russian Intelligence Network in Europe
The Czech Republic has warned of a Russian intelligence network in Europe, using diplomatic personnel and their families for sabotage acts. “This network of people, not officially employed by the Russian government, is unprecedented and unacceptable” said Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
The Czech Republic has conducted a comprehensive review of the presence of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area, identifying at least 2,000 individuals, including diplomats, their families and support staff. The actual number may be higher, as this only accounts for officially registered individuals.
In the context of the ongoing EU sanctions negotiations, the Czech Republic plans to initiate a new initiative to restrict the freedom of movement for Russian diplomats in the Schengen area. “It is legitimate for Russia to maintain diplomatic representations in EU countries, but we are not obligated to grant the same privileges to accredited diplomats as those in the Schengen area” the foreign minister stated.
The Czech Republic aims to achieve a system where Russian diplomats, staff and their families would need to obtain a visa to travel from one EU country to another. “If a diplomat were to travel without a visa, he would be in an illegal situation in Germany and the authorities could take action accordingly” the minister explained, using the example of crossing the border from Austria to Germany. As a possible consequence, the minister mentioned the possibility of deportation to Russia.