NZ moves against expelled Russians

New Zealand will ban Russian diplomats expelled by other countries following the nerve agent attack in the UK, the government has announced.

Russian diplomats expelled by other countries since the nerve agent attack in the UK won't be allowed to enter New Zealand, the government has announced.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a joint statement on Thursday the names of the diplomats would be provided by New Zealand's security partners.

"Those names will then be placed on a travel ban list to ensure that individuals who have been found to undertake activities incompatible with their diplomatic status in other countries do not enter New Zealand," they said.

Since the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, 27 countries are reported to have expelled more than 150 Russian diplomats to express their outrage.

The British government has said the nerve agent must have come from Russia, and suspects state involvement.

New Zealand hasn't expelled any Russian diplomats, saying it has no proof that any of them are acting outside their status.

The opposition National Party has criticised what it says is a lack of action.


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Source: AAP


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