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Italy expels two Russian embassy staff over spying case

By Thomson Reuters Jul 9, 2026 | 4:52 AM

ROME, July 9 (Reuters) – The Italian government has decided to expel two ​military attaches at the ‌Russian Embassy in Italy who were allegedly involved in espionage activities, Foreign Minister Antonio ‌Tajani ​said on Thursday.

• ⁠Earlier this week, ⁠two people were arrested on charges of passing classified information to a Russian ​agent.

• Prosecutors said the main suspect was ⁠a former officer ⁠of Italy’s Carabinieri ​police force. Five other individuals ​are also under investigation.

• Tajani ‌said on social media platform X that the two Russian officials must ⁠leave Rome within three days.

• He said Moscow continued to employ “hybrid ⁠tools” ‌against Italy and ⁠the West, describing this ​as “serious ‌and unacceptable interference” ​that threatens ⁠national security.

• Russia’s foreign ministry said it would respond to the Italian move.

(Reporting by Angelo AmanteEditing by ​Keith Weir )