Russia expels two British diplomats accused of spying

TASS news agency reported on March 10 that the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) discovered two British citizens participating in secret intelligence activities under the cover of diplomatic staff.

Among them was the second secretary of the British Embassy in Moscow and the husband of another British diplomat.

The two diplomats, Alkesh Odedra and Michael Skinner, were ordered to leave Russia within two weeks.

The FSB said: "The agency discovered that these diplomats had concealed intelligence activities under the cover of employees of the British Embassy in Moscow."

According to the announcement, second secretary Alkesh Odedra (born in 1990) and Michael Skinner (born in 1992), husband of Tabassum Rashid, first secretary of the political department of the British Embassy, intentionally provided false information when applying for entry permission to Russia, violating the country's laws.

The FSB has also found evidence of their intelligence activities "threatening the security of the Russian Federation".

"The Russian FSB will continue to use all measures to counter espionage and sabotage activities of foreign intelligence agencies," the statement said.