Russia rebukes Norway for expelling diplomat
Russia’s Embassy in Norway has expressed its protest to Oslo following the expulsion of a Russian diplomat on suspicion of having links to a spy case.
A spokeswoman for the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday the Russian man, who worked in the trade section of the embassy, “has engaged in actions that are incompatible with his role and status as a diplomat.”
The expulsion came after a Norwegian citizen suspected of illegally passing information to the diplomat was arrested by Norway’s PST security police at a restaurant in Oslo on Saturday.
The Russian Embassy said in a statement on Wednesday that it had lodged a protest against what it believed to be a violation of the diplomat's immunity.
"The deputy trade representative was apprehended by the PST without cause during a meeting with a Norwegian citizen," it added.
"He was searched and was not allowed to contact the embassy or to summon representatives from the consular department."
Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the Russian upper house of parliament's foreign affairs committee, said his country would expel a Norwegian diplomat in response.
"I have no doubt that Russia in this case, as always, will adhere clearly to the principle of reciprocity," Interfax news agency quoted Kosachev as saying.
The Norwegian citizen worked at the oil and gas unit of DNV GL, a company that provides certification for insurance and other purposes for the shipping, oil and gas and renewables industries.
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