Belarus expels Czech diplomat in tit-for-tat move

Minsk has declared a Czech diplomat persona non grata and ordered them to leave within 72 hours. The move comes in retaliation for Prague’s recent expulsion of a Belarusian diplomat, whom Czech authorities accused of working for the secret service.

Belarus rejected those allegations as unfounded and politically motivated. Foreign ministry spokesman Ruslan Varankov said the expulsion was a direct response and insisted Minsk now considers the matter closed.

Earlier this month, the Czech intelligence service announced it had dismantled a Belarusian spy network allegedly run by the KGB. On the same day, Prague ordered one Belarusian diplomat to leave the country within three days.

Belarus has also summoned Poland’s envoy, suggesting further fallout could follow.