German foreign minister says he is expelling four Syrian diplomats after arrest of suspected spies this week

This article is more than 8 years old

This article is more than 8 years old

Germany has said it is expelling four Syrian diplomats following the arrest earlier this week of two men accused of spying on Syrian opposition groups in Germany.

The foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle, said in a statement on Thursday he had ordered the expulsions of the four Syrian embassy employees, and the ambassador had been informed. He did not give details on the diplomats.

German federal prosecutors said on Tuesday they had arrested a Syrian and a German-Lebanese dual national on suspicion of spying on Syrian opposition supporters in Germany over several years.

Syria's ambassador to Germany was summoned to the foreign ministry the same day and told Berlin could not tolerate such activities.