Czech Counterintelligence Warns of Heightened Russian Intelligence Activity in Europe

Russian intelligence services remain actively engaged in Europe, notably in the Czech Republic, despite the measures taken against them. This was announced by Ladislav Sticha, the spokesperson for the Czech counterintelligence agency BIS, as reported by Radio Prague International. Sticha revealed that Czech counterintelligence had documented continued Russian intelligence activities in the country in 2023, even after the expulsion of 60 diplomats and embassy staff from Russia's Prague embassy in 2021.

Sticha pointed out that Russian agents are involved in circumventing European Union sanctions against Russia. Consequently, he issued a cautionary statement regarding the activities of the Russian House in Prague, which is included in the EU sanctions list. Despite being officially closed to visitors, the Russian House continues to organize events for the public and conducts campaigns to attract students to study at Russian universities.

It is noteworthy that in the spring of 2023, the Czech government revoked several Soviet-era decrees granting the Russian embassy the right to free use of property in Prague and other cities. Additionally, in November 2023, the Czech government froze Russian-owned property in the country, adding the company managing Russian assets abroad to the sanctions list. Among these properties is the Russian House in Prague.

On January 11, it was revealed that the Latvian parliament passed a resolution to transfer ownership of the "Moscow House" in the capital city, Riga, to the state. The initiative was driven by the national security committee, citing concerns that, under the guise of cultural and educational activities, political events threatening Latvia's national security took place in the Moscow House. Supporters of the initiative believe that eliminating this symbol of Russian politics will eliminate such a threat.

It's worth noting that the Moscow Center for International Cooperation, which oversees the Moscow House in Riga, is considered to be owned by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In December of the previous year, the Latvian Security Service conducted a criminal investigation into the Moscow House for possible violations of EU sanctions against Russia.

The fate of the building will be determined by the government by March 31, and it's possible that the property will be auctioned, with the proceeds supporting Ukraine.