France is expelling six Russian spies who were operating under the auspices of their embassy in Paris and “whose activities run counter to French national values,” the French Foreign Ministry said Monday night.
“After a very long investigation, the Internal Security Service (DGSI) on Sunday, April 10th, uncovered a covert operation organized by the Russian secret services in our country. The agents disguised as six diplomats have been declared undesirable, ”the diplomatic ministry said in a statement.
“In the absence of Russia’s ambassador, we asked the second man to the Foreign Ministry tonight to let him know the decision,” the communiqué reads. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin welcomed the work of the French response.
“Excellent anti-espionage operation. Bravo to DGSI Agents Exposing a Russian Secret Network of Agents”, wrote the head of the ministry on Twitter.
France announced a week ago that it would expel 35 Russian diplomats. The communication also justified the decision on the grounds that the activities of those concerned were contrary to French national values and pointed out that the procedure was part of a European process.
The State Department has indicated to the AFP news agency that the six spies are in addition to the 35 diplomats already expelled.
Due to Russia’s war against Ukraine, several European countries have decided on similar measures in recent days. In some cases, the deportations were officially justified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and atrocities against civilians, and in other cases, the deportees allegedly engaged in spy activities disguised as diplomats.
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