Italy denounces expulsion of its military attaché in Moscow as retaliation

Italy has condemned Russia's expulsion of its military attaché in Moscow and one of his collaborators, labeling it a "clear act of retaliation." Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the move on social media, stating that Russia had "without reason" expelled the Italian personnel. Tajani asserted that this action was a direct response to Italy's decision on July 9 to expel two Russian military attachés who were allegedly caught engaging in espionage activities detrimental to Italian national security. The Italian government had previously declared these two individuals persona non grata. The expulsions occurred in the wake of an investigation by the Rome Prosecutor's Office. This investigation led to the arrest of two Italians, former agents of the Italian Information and Internal Security Agency (AISI), who are accused of selling secret data to Russian contacts in exchange for money.

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It is a clear act of retaliation for the expulsion from Italy of two Russian military attachés, who were indeed caught 'red-handed' while carrying out espionage activities to the detriment of our national security