OMV employee allegedly spied for Russia
An employee of the Austrian oil, gas, and chemical company OMV is reportedly suspected of being unmasked as a spy for Russia. The magazine "Profil" reported that the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence Service (DSN) had been observing the man for months. According to OMV, they immediately parted ways with the employee. The Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires to the Foreign Office.
Suspected Russian spy at OMV unmasked
The man was noticed due to meetings with a Russian diplomat, who is suspected by Western services of being an agent of the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB, reported "Profil". During a house search of the OMV employee, numerous internal documents were secured. A criminal investigation is pending against the man, and he is at liberty.
After the Foreign Ministry "learned of the allegations and the pending criminal investigation against a Russian diplomat, the chargé d'affaires of the Russian embassy in Vienna was immediately summoned to the Foreign Ministry in consultation with the relevant Austrian authorities," a spokesperson explained in response to an APA inquiry. "The Russian side was asked to waive the diplomatic immunity of the diplomat." Otherwise, according to Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, he would be considered an undesirable person (persona non grata) and would have to leave the federal territory within the set deadline.
In response to a Reuters inquiry, the company stated that OMV is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities. "Please understand that we cannot comment further on individual employment relationships due to data protection reasons."
Insight also into ADNOC
According to the report, the long-time OMV employee was temporarily seconded by the company to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in the United Arab Emirates. ADNOC is a co-owner of OMV and a partner in a planned multi-billion merger of the petrochemical subsidiaries Borealis and Borouge, which is to be completed at the beginning of 2026. The suspected spy had insights into both companies and reported to the Russian diplomat during meetings in Vienna. It is unclear whether the man acted alone and how long the alleged espionage activity lasted.
(APA/Red)
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