Moscow demands Austria free Russian spy suspect

MOSCOW, June 15 (Reuters) - Russia summoned Austria's ambassador today to demand the immediate release of a Russian space agency official who was arrested in Austria on suspicion of spying.

''This action by the Austrian side is viewed as an unfriendly step which harms bilateral relations,'' the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Moscow sent a note of protest to Austria's Foreign Ministry earlier this week, saying the arrested Russian was a member of the official Russian delegation taking part in a session of the United Nations space committee.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said the detained official from the Roskosmos space agency was immune from arrest or detention because he was part of his country's delegation taking part in a UN-sponsored event.

''In this respect, it becomes self-evident that this incident does not strengthen Austria's authority as a venue where a number of UN bodies are headquartered,'' the ministry said.

The Austrian daily Kurier had said the Russian and an Austrian air force officer were arrested in or near the Austrian city of Linz on Monday and were being held for questioning in connection with exchanging secret intelligence.

Roskosmos spokesman Igor Panarin said the arrested Russian was in good health. ''We hope the situation will be favourably settled in the nearest time,'' he told Russia's official Rossiya television channel.

REUTERS SLD VC2001