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Austrian president not to discuss spy case with Putin in Paris

On November 11, Paris will host commemorations marking the Armistice that ended the First World War, which was signed 100 years ago

VIENNA, November 10. /TASS/. Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen will not be discussing with Russian President Vladimir Putin the case of the Austrian retired officer suspected by Vienna of spying for Russia.

"No. At the time when several dozens of heads of state and government are in Paris, we [Putin and Van der Bellen] are not scheduled to hold bilateral talks," Van der Bellen said aired by the Austrian radio station O-1, when asked whether he would touch upon the issue in talks with Putin.

On November 11, Paris will host commemorations marking the Armistice that ended the First World War, which was signed 100 years ago. Besides, the Paris Peace Forum will open later in the day. The events are to be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen among other world leaders.

On Friday, Austria’s authorities said that the country’s law enforcement agencies were conducting an investigation into a case of a 70-yeal-old retired Austrian colonel who was suspected of working for Russian intelligence since the 1990s and of providing Moscow with information about Austria’s air force, artillery systems, high-ranking officials and the migrant crisis. If the man is found guilty, he may face a prison term of up to ten years.