Moscow expels 2 Swedish diplomats as ‘reciprocal move’

Russia has expelled two Swedish diplomats from Moscow as part of a reciprocal move against Stockholm, TASS reported on Wednesday, citing Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

The Swedish Foreign Ministry said earlier that the two diplomats were asked to leave Moscow after a visa for a Russian diplomat wasn’t renewed.

In February, a Swedish citizen was detained in Stockholm, who was suspected of illegal activities in favor of Russia. The man, 45, who was released on March 29, denies any wrongdoing. He dined with a Russian diplomat who later left Sweden, according to the report.

Russia submitted an application for visas for its new diplomats after the incident, but it was rejected.