U.S. expels 6 Russian diplomats

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell Wednesday informed Russian Ambassador Yuri Ushakov that the United States on Thursday will order six Russian diplomats to leave the country immediately, officials told CNN.

The news comes a month after FBI veteran Robert Hanssen was arrested and charged with spying for the Soviet Union and later Russia for 15 years, dating back to the waning days of the Cold War.

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The officials said the six will be officially declared persona non grata Thursday, which under normal circumstances would give them 48 hours to leave the country

Powell also told the Russian ambassador, the officials said, that more Russians will be told to leave the United States in the near future.

A U.S. official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity the action was in retaliation for the alleged espionage an FBI agent conducted on behalf of Moscow.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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March 1, 2001
In wake of Hanssen arrest, senator suggests changes
February 28, 2001
FBI: Hanssen suspected he was under surveillance
February 27, 2001
FBI investigators sure they got their man in spy case
February 23, 2001
FBI to start polygraph tests following spy probe
February 22, 2001
FBI digs more into spying case
February 21, 2001
FBI agent charged as Russian spy
February 20, 2001

Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • FBI Press Room - Press Release - 2000 - Veteran FBI Agent Arrested and Charged with Espionage
Central Intelligence Agency
U.S. Department of State
U.S. Department of Justice
Embassy of the Russian Federation
Russian FSB (former KGB, in Russian)

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