Bulgaria expels two Russian diplomats for suspected espionage

Foreign ministry says diplomats have been declared ‘persona non grata’ and given 72 hours to leave the EU and NATO member state.

Authorities in Bulgaria have given two Russian diplomats 72 hours to leave the country for alleged espionage. Prosecutors announced on Friday that six people had been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia, including several defence ministry officials in the European Union and NATO member state. On Monday, they said that “preliminary investigations have shown that two Russian nationals carried out intelligence activity incompatible with diplomatic relations.”