German Foreign Ministry, on Friday, said a large group of Russian diplomats expelled from Germany earlier have left Berlin by plane.
A ministry spokesperson confirmed the flight.
“We have a strong interest, including on grounds of public security, that these people left the country quickly and verifiably.’’
The plane landed earlier with a special permit, leading to media speculation that it was for the expelled diplomats.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told dpa that the German government declared 40 Russian diplomats “undesirable persons” on Monday, saying they all had links to the Russian intelligence services.
