Russia said on Monday it had declared two Italian diplomats persona non grata, calling it a reciprocal measure in response to the expulsion of two Russian embassy staff in Italy.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on July 9 that Rome had expelled two military attachés at the Russian embassy in Italy who were allegedly involved in espionage activities.
The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement that Vittorio Parrella, the assistant defense attache at the Italian embassy, and Davide D’Aprile, an attache, were persona non grata and must leave Russia with their families within three days.
The ministry also said it had summoned Italian interim Charge d’Affaires Giovanni Scopa in connection with the expulsion of Russian embassy staff.
“The Russian Federation has expelled, without reason, the Italian military attache in Moscow along with one of his collaborators. This is an act of blatant 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,” Tajani wrote on X on Monday.
Two weeks ago, the Italian government decided to expel two military attachés at the Russian Embassy in Italy who were allegedly involved in espionage activities after two people were arrested on charges of passing classified information to a Russian agent.
Prosecutors said the main suspect was a former officer of Italy’s Carabinieri police force. Five other individuals are also under investigation.
Tajani said on X that the two Russian officials must leave Rome within three days.
He said Moscow continued to employ “hybrid tools” against Italy and the West, describing this as “serious and unacceptable interference” that threatens national security.
