Romania has charged six men with treason for plotting a coup with links to Russia, prosecutors in the NATO ally said, accusing them of conspiring "to undermine the sovereignty and independence of the Romanian state".

Romanian prosecutors detained six people suspected of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government and withdraw the Black Sea nation from NATO with Russia’s help.

Romanian prosecutors said Thursday that they arrested and charged six people with treason, accusing them of colluding with Russia to "undermine" the country. The case has already led to the expulsion of two Russian diplomats — Russia's military attache and his deputy — who were declared persona non gratae on Wednesday.