France Holds Six Clandestine Operations Under The Guise Of Diplomats

Illustration. (Unsplash/Tetiana SHYSHKINA)

JAKARTA - France's Foreign Ministry on Monday declared six Russian agents disguised as diplomats as persona non grata, after an investigation by the domestic intelligence service concluded they were working against France's national interests.

"Following a very lengthy investigation, the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) disclosed on Sunday, April 10, a covert operation carried out by the Russian intelligence services on our territory," the ministry said in a statement, without elaborating, cited from Reuters, April 12.

"Six Russian agents operating under diplomatic cover and whose activities are proven to be contrary to our national interests, have been declared persona non grata," the statement said.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin congratulated DGSI staff on Twitter for blocking the operation. He did not provide details on the nature of the mission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also refused to provide details.

In the absence of the Russian ambassador in Paris, his number two diplomat has been summoned for an explanation of the reasons for the expulsion, the Foreign Ministry said.

"Russia will respond accordingly," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency.

Earlier, France earlier this month expelled 35 Russians with diplomatic status as part of a wider European move, saying the agents had worked against French interests.

Despite some criticism, President Emmanuel Macron has sought to maintain dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He talks regularly with President Putin, as part of efforts to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine, starting credible negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

Tensions, however, have risen in recent weeks with the Russian ambassador summoned three times, including twice over tweets by his embassy that France described as unacceptable.