Russia expels British diplomat over spying allegations, gives two-week deadline

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) – Russia has ordered the expulsion of a member of the British diplomatic staff on charges of espionage. This order comes after the United States supported Britain in seizing a Russian tanker. The diplomat is accused of working for British intelligence.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday that Gareth Samuel Davies, a secretary at the British Embassy in Moscow, works for the British Secret Service. The Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Britain's Charge d'Affaires, Danae Dholakia, to lodge a formal protest and demand the suspected spy leave Russia within two weeks. The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed, "Moscow will not tolerate the unannounced activities of British special service agents on Russian territory. The government has a zero-tolerance policy in matters of national security."

The deputy head of the British mission declined to speak to reporters while entering and leaving the Russian Foreign Ministry building earlier in the day. Britain and Russia have long had a tense relationship, often resulting in mutual expulsions of diplomatic staff on suspicion of espionage. Russia has stated that the British government is deliberately trying to prolong hostility to confront Russia. Russian officials claim that Britain has been employing this strategy for decades. Tensions also persist between the United States and Venezuela. Meanwhile, the United States recently seized a Russian tanker with British assistance. However, the tanker contained no oil. Furthermore, the United States claimed to have filed criminal charges against the crew aboard the seized Russian ship, Marinera. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying it was closely monitoring reports of American personnel aboard the vessel.

The ministry said Russia demanded that the US treat the Russian citizens aboard the tanker humanely, ensure full respect for their rights, and send them home as soon as possible. Meanwhile, US Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on the social network "X" that US authorities would file criminal charges against the crew members of the seized Marinera tanker, also known as Bella-1.