Russia’s Federal Security Service (Federal Security Service) has announced that a British diplomat serving as Second Secretary at the United Kingdom’s Embassy in Moscow has been identified as a spy.
According to the statement, the diplomat, Janse van Rensburg Albertus Gerardus, was allegedly engaged in intelligence-gathering and subversive activities. The FSB claimed that he attempted to obtain sensitive information through unofficial meetings with Russian economic experts.
Details shared by the FSB indicate that the British diplomat, born in 1996, deliberately provided false information while applying for entry into Russia, thereby violating Russian law.
Gerardus has been given a two-week deadline to leave the country.
UK Chargé d’Affaires Summoned to Foreign Ministry
Following the developments, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with relevant institutions, revoked Janse van Rensburg’s accreditation.
Meanwhile, the UK Chargé d’Affaires, Danae Dholakia, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry.
Warning Issued to Russian Citizens
After the operation, the FSB issued a warning to Russian citizens.
The statement emphasized that diplomatic titles can be used as a cover by intelligence services and urged citizens to avoid meetings not approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also warned that such contacts could lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment.