Romania, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have jointly exposed and disrupted a Belarusian intelligence network operating across Europe.
The Czech counterintelligence service (BIS) confirmed the operation, claiming that Belarus’s KGB orchestrated it and involved agents in several countries. Prague also expelled a diplomat, accusing them of using official cover to conduct espionage.
Statements from BIS and Romania’s DIICOT
According to official statements from BIS and Romania’s DIICOT, one of the central figures in the network is a former deputy head of Moldova’s intelligence service, SIS. He is accused of passing state secrets to Belarusian operatives through meetings held in Budapest in 2024 and 2025.
In addition to the arrest, the Czech Republic declared a Belarusian embassy employee persona non grata for allegedly working under diplomatic cover for the KGB. That person was given 72 hours to leave Czech territory.
BIS head Michal Koudelka emphasized that the network had grown in part because Belarusian diplomats were able to move freely in Europe. He was allowed to operate under diplomatic immunity or diplomatic “cover.”
This is another in a series of cases that shows how essential international cooperation is in the current security situation. It is also a response to those who claim that cooperation between intelligence services is allegedly not working,” says Michal Koudelka, director of the BIS, commenting on the dismantling of the Belarusian intelligence network.
“To successfully counter these hostile activities in Europe, we need to restrict the movement of accredited diplomats from Russia and Belarus in the Schengen area,” explains Director Koudelka.
He called for stricter oversight of diplomatic movement, particularly within the Schengen Area.
Implications for European Intelligence and Security Policy
This operation reveals several important trends and challenges:
- Diplomatic cover remains a significant risk factor for espionage. The cloak of diplomacy can provide both protection and mobility, making it harder for security services to detect hostile activities.
- Intelligence cooperation between EU countries is yielding results. Romania, Hungary, and the Czech Republic reportedly worked together under coordination by Eurojust, the EU’s judicial cooperation agency, to share evidence, track movements, and execute arrests.
- Calls are increasing for enhanced restrictions on the movement of foreign diplomats suspected of host nation espionage. Some Czech officials argue that we should consider limitations or oversight on diplomatic travel across the Schengen zone to prevent cover abusers.
Responses and Reactions
Belarus has condemned the Czech decision to expel its diplomat, calling the move unfounded and politically motivated. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry warned of possible retaliatory actions.
Authorities in Romania have also pressed charges against the Moldovan ex-intelligence official, citing treason and the danger posed by leaked secrets. Hungary’s role, while less prominent in some reports, is part of the cooperative effort.
European Security Landscape
Belarus has played a pivotal strategic role for Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It allowed Russian troops and resources to use its territory and must be considered a partner of Moscow in its war effort.
Exposing espionage networks tied to Belarus helps in two major ways:
- It underscores the vulnerability of EU member states to influence operations and intelligence gathering by states aligned with Russia.
- It strengthens the case for tighter controls, improved counterintelligence measures, and clearer legal frameworks to address the misuse of diplomatic status.
Overall, the dismantling of this network is a reminder that espionage remains an active tool in geopolitical competition. It also shows that European states are increasingly capable and willing to act when the threat is concrete and coordinated.
