Russian spy suspect has diplomatic status-Austria

Vienna, June 20 (Reuters) A Russian space agency official arrested in Austria last week for spying has diplomatic immunity but Vienna has asked Moscow to revoke it, the Austrian Foreign Ministry said today.

Russia's Foreign Ministry strongly protested against the arrest, calling it ''an unfriendly step which harms bilateral relations'', and last week summoned Austria's ambassador to demand the immediate release of the Russian.

The Russian and an Austrian air force officer were arrested in or near the central Austrian city of Linz on suspicion of espionage.

''The judicial service of the United Nations found in its assessment that he is covered by diplomatic immunity,'' an Austrian Foreign Ministry spokesman said. ''We have asked Russia to waive this status.'' Moscow said the arrested Russian was a member of an official Russian delegation taking part in a session of the UN space committee held this month in Vienna.

The Russian had no permanent diplomatic status, the Austrian Foreign Ministry said, but was covered by an agreement that granted participants of UN conferences immunity for the duration of such an event and throughout the host country.

The Austrian Justice Ministry said today the Russian would remain in investigative custody in Vienna pending a court ruling on how to proceed with the case.

''We expect a decision pretty quickly,'' a spokesman for the Justice Ministry said.

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