Austrian Authorities Arrest Retired Defense Ministry Colonel Suspected Of Spying - Reports

A former colonel of Austrian Armed Forces has been arrested by the Austrian authorities as he is facing accusations of spying in favor of Russia, local media reported on Saturday.

VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 10th November, 2018) A former colonel of Austrian Armed Forces has been arrested by the Austrian authorities as he is facing accusations of spying in favor of Russia, local media reported on Saturday.

The suspect was arrested at night following his detention on suspicion of spying in favor of Russia for 20 years, the Kleine Zeitung newspaper reported.

On Friday, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz confirmed that a retired Austrian colonel was suspected of espionage for Moscow and demanded that the Russian side provided "transparent" information on the matter.

Moscow in response expressed protest to Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Aigner over the accusations. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Vienna's steps were based on suspicions without evidence, adding that Austria's statements over the spy scandal had already complicated bilateral relations.