Czechs expel 18 Russian diplomats for involvement in the explosion in an ammunition depot

 Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babisz and Deputy Prime Minister, head of the Ministry of the Interior and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Hamaczek informed on Saturday about the expulsion of 18 Russian diplomats from the Czech Republic. According to the Czech security service, BIS, they were involved in an explosion in an ammunition depot in 2014.

Two people were killed in the 2014 explosion in Vrbietice in the Zlin Region.

The Prime Minister said the BIS had evidence that GRU military intelligence officers were involved in the explosion. For his part, the Interior Minister announced that 18 employees of the Russian Embassy who had been identified as officers of the Russian special services would be expelled from the Czech Republic within 48 hours.