Vienna has often been called the spy capital of Europe and the region's intelligence services certainly keep a very closely watch on the city. It is filled with cafés where foreign diplomats and international figures can meet tucked away from prying eyes, especially in the vicinity of its Grand Hotel Wien.

The luxury establishment frequently played host to Martin Weiss, former head of the Austrian domestic intelligence service BvT (now the DSN) (IO, 30/09/23). Weiss liked to arrange meetings there