The Romanian authorities have decided to declare a Russian diplomat from the embassy in Bucharest persona non grata.
According to the press service of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this decision is related to activities conducted by the diplomat that contravene the provisions of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The case is reportedly linked to espionage.
"These details were communicated to the Russian side today, May 24, 2024, during the summoning of the temporary chargé d'affaires of the Russian Federation in Bucharest to the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the order of Minister of Foreign Affairs LuminiÈ›a Odobescu," the statement said.
A few hours earlier, the Romanian prosecutor's office, responsible for combating organized crime, arrested a Romanian citizen on suspicion of spying for Russia.
According to prosecutors, the man, who resides in Ploiești in southern Romania, had been observing several Romanian military bases in Tulcea County, which borders Ukraine, since 2022. He also photographed troop movements and equipment.
It is reported that he transmitted all the information and photographs to diplomats at the Russian embassy in Bucharest.
