The Republic of Azerbaijan on Monday declared two French embassy employees as “personea-non-gratae.” In a press release, the Azerbaijan Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the employees engaged in actions “incompatible with their diplomatic status,” and in contraction to the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The two employees have 48 hours to leave the country.

Under the 1961 Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations, a state “may at any time and without having to explain its decision,” expel a foreign diplomatic staff member. The Convention favors expulsion of foreign diplomatic staff as they are generally exempt from civil and criminal prosecution by the host state. However, if a staff member violates the timeframe for departure, they may be reclassified as non-diplomatic and face action for the alleged conduct.

States often expel diplomatic staff during political or conflict situations. Slovakia recently expelled Russian diplomats without an official explanation. Additionally, the US, Germany, France and Italy have expelled significant numbers of Russian diplomats in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The French mission to Azerbaijan has not commented on the expulsion.