The Italian Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador following allegations of espionage against a Russian citizen in Rome.
A Russian citizen and a captain of the Italian Navy have been arrested in Rome on charges of espionage.
According to Sputnik, the Italian Special Operations Group announced: “The operation took place during a secret meeting between the two and immediately after the Italian officer handed over documents in exchange for certain amounts of money. The Italian officer was arrested at the end of the operation, but the detention of the foreign national for diplomatic reasons is under consideration.”
According to the agency, the operation was carried out on Tuesday evening and was investigated with the help of the US Intelligence and Internal Security Agency and the Department of Defense.
According to credible reports, the Russian citizen present at the meeting was handed over to the Russian embassy in Rome, Sputnik reported.
According to the Russian news agency, on Wednesday, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had summoned the Russian ambassador.
According to the agency, the operation was carried out on Tuesday evening and was investigated with the help of the US Intelligence and Internal Security Agency and the Department of Defense.
The Russian embassy also confirmed the news and expressed hope that the incident would not damage relations between Moscow and Rome.