Austria frees Russian spy suspect

VIENNA, June 21 (Reuters) Austria freed today a Russian space agency official it had detained on suspicion of spying, the Justice Ministry said.

The Russian was arrested last week in or near the central Austrian city of Linz, prompting a protest from Moscow. He was freed after it was determined he was covered by diplomatic immunity.

Austrian justice ministry Thomas Geiblinger confirmed a report by Russia's RIA Novosti news agency that the Russian had been released.

He said an Austrian air force officer arrested for the same reason remained in investigative custody.

Russian authorities said the Russian was a member of an official delegation taking part in a session of the UN space committee in Vienna. It described his arrest as ''an unfriendly step'' that harmed bilateral relations.

RIA quoted a Russian Embassy source in Vienna saying the Russian would soon fly to Moscow. Austrian media have named the Russian as Vladimir Vozhzhov.

REUTERS SYU KP1810