Czech diplomat accorded an honorary title by Belarusian authorities
In a series of recent developments, a diplomatic row has emerged between Belarus and both the Czech Republic and Poland, following allegations of an intelligence network dismantled in Europe.
The Czech Foreign Ministry expelled a Belarusian intelligence officer in connection with this international operation. This move was preceded by a similar decision by the Czech Republic on September 8, when the Belarusian diplomat in the Czech Republic was declared persona non grata.
In response, Belarus declared Czech diplomat Tomáš Kryl persona non grata and gave him 72 hours to leave its territory. The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the expulsions were based on "fabricated and unfounded grounds."
However, no further information was provided about the Romanian or Hungarian involvement in the dismantling of the Belarusian intelligence network. Similarly, the Polish authorities have not yet provided specific details about the alleged Belarusian agent.
The Czech Security Information Service alleges that the diplomat was working for Belarusian intelligence under diplomatic cover. This stance has been communicated to both Warsaw and Prague.
The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a detailed conversation about the current state of Belarusian-Polish relations, but no further details about the conversation or the Polish expulsion have been disclosed.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk made statements about the arrest of a "Belarusian agent," but no official confirmation has been given regarding this matter.
Following the Czech Republic's decision, Polish authorities also decided to expel a Belarusian diplomat. The Czech Chargé d'Affaires was summoned by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Poland's Acting Chargé d'Affaires, Wojciech Filipowicz, was also called in for a meeting.
The Czech Republic, Romania, and Hungary had previously uncovered a spy network, according to the Czech Security Information Service. Despite these developments, Belarus considers the diplomatic incident closed, and there is no information available about the activities of Czech diplomat Tomáš Kryl before his expulsion from Belarus or about him being suspected of espionage.
In a statement, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not mention any response to the Polish expulsion. However, it was emphasised that further escalation from Belarus will be met with an appropriate response.
The current situation remains tense, with both sides maintaining their positions. As more information becomes available, it is expected that the diplomatic row will either deescalate or further escalate, depending on the actions of the involved parties.
