Austrian minister aims to tighten espionage law in response to foreign concerns [Video]

• Austria’s justice minister seeks to tighten espionage rules, which currently allow spying on other countries or international organizations, but not Austria itself.
• The move follows the arrest of a former Austrian intelligence officer accused of spying for Russia.
• Austria, an EU member with military neutrality, hosts various international organizations in Vienna, including the UN and OPEC.

Austria’s justice minister said Thursday that she plans to tighten the country’s rules on espionage, which currently is explicitly banned if directed against Austria itself but not if it targets other countries or international organizations.

Justice Minister Alma Zadic’s push to tighten Austria’s laws comes as the arrest of a former Austrian intelligence officer on allegations of spying for Russia focuses attention on espionage activities in the country.

Austria is a European Union member that has a policy of military neutrality. Its capital, Vienna, is host to several U.N. agencies and other international groups such as the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Organization …