Russia expels two Spanish diplomats in spying dispute

Russia expelled two Spanish diplomats stationed in Moscow on Christmas Eve in retaliation for Spain's withdrawal of two Russian diplomats' accreditation nearly two months ago, say sources familiar with the matter.

Ignacio Cartagena, the political counselor at the Spanish Embassy in Moscow, and Borja Cortés-Bretón, the first secretary, were told last week by the Russian Foreign Ministry that they had to leave the country.

At the beginning of November, Foreign Minister Trinidad Jiménez sided with National Intelligence Center director Félix Sanz Roldán in ordering the withdrawal of accreditations to two secretaries assigned to the Russian Embassy. The reason given was because they "were participating in activities that were contrary to their [diplomatic] status" - an expression that is usually used when spying is alleged.

But according to one diplomatic source, the two were taking advantage of their immunity to help the Russian mafia in shady business dealings.

"It was a significant matter," said a source close to Jiménez. But Russia's reaction - to expel instead of withdrawing accreditation - was far more severe than Spain's choice of action. The incident is one of the most serious of several that have taken place since Spain and the former Soviet Union reestablished ties in 1977 after they were broken in 1939.

Cartagena was instrumental in helping Russian cultural officials organize the upcoming Year of Russia in Spain, which begins in January and coincides with the Year of Spain in Russia. More than 700 special events will be held as part of this unprecedented 12-month celebration.

Spain's Foreign Ministry released a statement on Tuesday, playing down the rift. "As is natural in these cases Russia has reciprocated by expelling two counterparts," the Ministry said, avoiding any criticism of Moscow's Christmas move.

"Both governments [the Spanish and Russian] consider this incident closed and are working to return their diplomatic complements to full strength as soon as possible," the text concludes.