Poland wants to expel 45 Russians accused of espionage

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland has identified 45 Russian intelligence agents who use diplomatic status as a cover to stay in the country and authorities are looking for ways to expel them, officials said Wednesday.

The Polish Internal Security Agency indicated that it would ask the Foreign Ministry to urgently expel the Russians, whom it described as a danger to Poland's security.

“Due to the Russian policy towards the Republic of Poland and its allies, as well as taking into account the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the director of the agency requests the expulsion of the right people from the territory of the Republic of Poland,” said Stanislaw Zaryn, state security spokesman.

The agency also said it had arrested a Polish citizen suspected of spying for the Russian secret services. The suspect worked at the Warsaw registry office and had access to municipal archives.

“Given the nature of the documents held in these units, the suspect's activity posed a threat to both internal and external security in Poland,” the agency said in a statement.