Russia Expels UK Diplomat Over Intelligence Activities Allegations
The official, named as Albertus Gerardus Janse van Rensburg, held the position of second secretary at the UK Embassy in Moscow. In a statement issued Monday, the FSB alleged that he knowingly submitted false details in his application to enter Russia, constituting a breach of national law.
The agency further stated it had “recorded attempts to obtain sensitive information during informal meetings with Russian experts in the field of economics.” It concluded that van Rensburg’s actions amounted to conduct “threatening the security of the Russian Federation.”
Authorities have given the diplomat a two-week deadline to leave the country.
Separately, Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the UK’s chargé d’affaires, Danae Dholakia, to formally protest the incident. She was briefly seen outside the ministry building arriving alongside van Rensburg before entering without making any statement to reporters.
The move comes shortly after London announced plans to coordinate with European NATO allies to “close off UK waters, including the [English] Channel, for sanctioned vessels,” warning that ships suspected of links to an alleged Russian ‘shadow fleet’ could be seized.
Moscow has rejected claims that it operates such a fleet and denounced the measure as a “deeply hostile step,” accusing the UK of preparing “acts of piracy.”
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