Key Points
Two yearsago, Austrianintelligenceand U.S. law enforcement warned Grozev that Russian President Vladimir Putins spies were plotting to kill him..
Dozens of these spies have since resurfaced in Austria,intelligence officials there say.In the past two years,the number of Russian state employees in Austria swelled to over 500from 300 to 400, over a half of whom are diplomats and administrators, according to intelligence officials.Up to a half of them operate as spies,Austrian intelligence officials estimate..
Vienna is now a base for Russian clandestine operations, including financing and logistical support for murder, sabotage and recruitment across Europe, as well as industrial espionage and influence operations,according to over a dozen Austrian, European and U.S. intelligence and government officials..
During theCold War, the city was a notorious international spying hub, as immortalized in the Hollywood classic, The Third Man."Espionage is legal in Austria, which is a member of the European Union, as long as it isnt directed against Austria itself.A neutral country outside military alliances, Austria hosts international organizations, including United Nations agencies and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, some of which have long had spies in their delegations,according to multiple Austrian and foreign officials..
Earlier this year, Egisto Ott,a senior undercover operations official, was arrested on various charges including accusations of spying for Russia.Otts lawyerJrgen Stephan Mertens didnt immediately respondfor a request for comment.Mertens told Austrianmediathat the accusations against Ott were unfounded and lacking solid evidence.In an interview with The Wall Street Journal before his arrest, Ott denied he was a Russian spy..
