Russia, Turkey Angry At British Spying Claims

Former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden

Russia, Turkey, and South Africa have reacted angrily at revelations that Britain and the United States put foreign dignitaries under surveillance at G20 meetings in London in 2009.

Turkey's government summoned the British charge d'affaires to explain a media report that London spied on Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek during the meetings.

Moscow said it was concerned that U.S.intelligence had intercepted then-President Dmitry Medvedev's communications while he was in Britain.

The claims, published by Britain's "The Guardian," are based on documents leaked by former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden.

According to "The Guardian," Britain's GCHQ electronic eavesdropping agency monitored communications at two G20 meetings in April and September 2009.

Delegates were allegedly tricked into using specially prepared Internet cafes that allowed British spies to intercept and monitor communications.


Based on reporting by AFP and AP