CZECH SPY RING

Press, Volume C, Issue 29625, 22 September 1961, Page 8

CZECH SPY RING

Switzerland’s Allegation (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BERNE. Seipt. 20. The Swiss Government yesterday ordered the expulsion of a Czechoslovak diplomat for spying. It also protested vigorously to the Czechoslovakian Government against the espionage activities of one of its Berne Legation officials and another Czechoslovakian citizen. Swiss authorities identified the master agents of the spy ring as the Czech Cultural Attache, Mr Vaclav Smisek. who was given 24 hours to leave the country; a legation employee. Mr Jroslav Les; and a Czechoslovakian employee of a big Swiss chemical company, the Associated Press reported. They accused the three of military, political and economic espionage on behalf of another Communist Power whom they did not name, and said it was an extremely grave case reaching beyond the Swiss borders.

They alleged the activities of the three covered more than three years during which the chemical company worker received about 10,000 Swiss francs for supplying information on physical and chemical research, on the political attitude of several prominent residents of Switzerland, and on military installations in another country. The chemical worker was arrested abroad recently and Mr Lis left Switzerland two years ago. Swiss authorities declined to say where the chemical worker was held, but they said the charges against him there were so grave that there was little chance he would be extradited to Switzerland.