France has recalled two intelligence agents from Georgia, according to information published by the French outlet Intelligence Online, which specializes in intelligence and diplomatic affairs, and reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

According to the report, the agents were withdrawn in May. Their recall reportedly comes in the wake of the arrest of a “former associate” of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party. As reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the publication is referring to Giorgi Udzilauri, the former press secretary of Cartu Bank and a former senior official of Georgia’s financial police, who was arrested on May 5 on espionage charges.

According to the French publication, an operation conducted by Georgia’s State Security Service led to tensions between the two countries.

“The French foreign intelligence service was forced to withdraw two intelligence officers from Tbilisi to Paris,” the publication states.

The report further claims that, in order to avoid a diplomatic escalation, the Georgian authorities refrained from declaring the French intelligence officers persona non grata and instead requested that they be withdrawn from the country. According to the publication, Georgian authorities allegedly warned that if this request was not fulfilled, they would make the agents’ identities public.