Russia expels British diplomat over alleged intelligence activities

Russia has expelled the second secretary of the British Embassy in Moscow, Jance Gerardus, on allegations of intelligence activities, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Monday. The FSB said in a statement that Gerardus' accreditation was revoked and that he must leave Russia within two weeks.

Intelligence allegations

"It has been reliably established that Second Secretary Jance Van Rensburg Albertus Gerardus, born 06/01/1996, when applying for permission to enter our country, deliberately provided false information, thereby violating Russian law," the FSB said. According to the intelligence service, Gerardus attempted to obtain sensitive information during informal meetings with Russian economic experts, which was recorded. "The FSB of Russia has identified signs that this diplomat was conducting intelligence and subversive activities threatening the security of the Russian Federation," it added.

Diplomatic protest

In a separate statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said British temporary charge d'affaires Danae Dholakia was summoned over the case and will be presented with a diplomatic note of protest and officially informed of the requirement for Gerardus to leave the country.

UK-Russia tensions

The expulsion adds to ongoing tensions between Moscow and London, which have seen reciprocal diplomatic expulsions in recent years over espionage allegations and disagreements over the Ukraine war. Britain has been a leading supporter of Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022.