Romanian police say six people have been detained for allegedly organizing a criminal group that colluded with Russia to plot a coup against the government.

Romanian prosecutors said on Thursday they had detained six people on charges of trying to overthrow the state with the help of Russia, marking a dramatic escalation of tensions between Bucharest and Moscow.

Romanian prosecutors detained six people on charges of forming an organised criminal group and treason, they said on Thursday, adding that members of the group repeatedly contacted agents of a foreign power both in Romania and in Russia.

Six people were detained in Romania for allegedly plotting to take over the government and pull the country out of NATO, authorities said today, after ordering two Russian diplomats to leave on suspicion that they met with members of the “paramilitary group.