Czech Republic expels 18 Russian diplomats

The Czech Republic expelled 18 Russian diplomats for alleged links to an explosion in 2014, Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced on Saturday.

There is clear evidence that the Russian diplomats were linked to Russian secret agents and were involved in the 2014 explosions of an ammunition depot in the South Moravian Region, Babis said at a news conference.

The explosion killed two people and hundreds were evacuated from the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Jan Hamacek conveyed the decision to the Russian Embassy in Prague and President Milos Zeman has been informed, he said.

Additionally, the diplomats were asked to leave the country within 48 hours, he added.