The Netherlands is expelling 17 Russian diplomats who were "secretly active" as intelligence officers, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. 

The ambassador of Russia was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and informed of the expulsion, the Hague-based ministry said in a statement. 

"The reason for this (decision) is information ... showing that the individuals in question, accredited as diplomats at the Russian representations in the Netherlands, are secretly active as intelligence officers," the ministry said.