Rome: A navy captain has been arrested in Italy on suspicion of spying, while two Russian diplomats have been deported.
According to the international news agency, the Italian police have arrested Russian military officers on charges of extorting important documents related to national security, while two Russian diplomats have been expelled from the country in this regard.
Police say Navy Captain Walter Byrne handed over important documents to a Russian military official during a meeting Tuesday night, in exchange for which the Russian officer paid the Navy captain 5,000 euros.
This important document is said to be one of the NATO files given to Italy and now that this file has reached Russia, the security concerns of other members of the Western military alliance have increased.
Italy immediately summoned Russian Ambassador Sergei Rizov and said two Russian diplomats were involved. Both diplomats were deported.
Russian news agencies have also confirmed the expulsion of two Russian diplomats from Italy, who worked in the military attache’s office, on charges of aiding and abetting espionage.
