Spain expels Soviet envoy

Press, 18 February 1980, Page 8

Spain expels Soviet envoy

NZPA Madrid Spanish authorities are investigating the activities of i another secretary at the I Soviet Embassy, after the ■ First Secretary (Mr Anatoly i Kasernikov) left the country I at the week-end accused of ; spying, reliable sources said. I The latest investigation was to discover if Igor Ivanov had contacts with extreme Left and extra-parlia-mentary groups, the sources, quoted by the Europa Press Agency, said.

If such charges were proved they would constitute interference in Spanish inter- ’i‘ nal affairs, the sources added. .Mr Kasernikov, the First ’ Secretary, left yesterday, with his wife and son on a ; regular Aeroflot flight to Moscow, the sixth Soviet! national to be expelled for, I alleged spying since the twa I countries established diplotf 1 1 matic relations three years i ago. The fifth man to be expelled, Olec Suranov, head of I the Soviet Aeroflot airline ' office in Madrid, left Madrid I ’ for Warsaw on Thursday ' - after Spanish authorities said he had been found in possession of military docu* i ments. In the case of Mr Kaser- ‘ hikov, the Soviet Embassy 1 announced on Saturday if had decided to withdraw him, • Earlier Spain had warned the! . Russians that if he did not leave immediately he . would be declared persona non grata. According to the Spanish daily, “El Pais,” Moscow would not retaliate with similar moves against Spanish diplomats, but might publish damaging documents involving aides of the Spanish Prime Minister (Mr Adolfo Suarez).