Norway on Thursday expelled 15 Russian diplomats working at the Russian embassy in the country accusing them of espionage. Norway accused the diplomats were intelligence officers.
Norway's government said the Russian diplomats from the country were suspected of spying while working at the Russian Embassy in Oslo.
Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said the move was an important measure to counter and reduce the scope of Russian intelligence activities in Norway, and thereby secure our national interests.
“The Russians declared persona non grata must leave Norway within a short time," Huitfeldt said, adding, "We will not grant visas to intelligence officers who apply for a visa to Norway.”
Huitfeldt said, “This is an important step in countering, and reducing the level of, Russian intelligence activity in Norway, and thus in safeguarding our national interests.”
Norway's government said the activities of the expelled diplomats were incompatible with their diplomatic status. The foreign minister stressed that Oslo wants normal diplomatic relations with Russia and Russian diplomats are welcome in Norway.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said they will respond proportionately to Norway's action. "Russia will make an appropriate response," Russian news agency TASS quoted the ministry as saying.
A year ago, Norway expelled three Russian diplomats it identified as intelligence officers. A man whom the Norwegian Police Security Service alleged used a false name and identity while actually working for one of Russia's intelligence services also was arrested last year.