A 59-year-old ethnic Greek man from Georgia was taken into custody in the northern Greek port city of Alexandroupolis under suspicion of spying for Russia.
According to reports, the man claimed to have been acting on behalf of another individual, to whom he sent military-related photos and video footage.
The investigation conducted by the National Intelligence Service (EYP) revealed that the individual who recruited the suspect is located outside of Greece, is a member of an international criminal organization, and has been recruited by the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency, specifically for the purpose of enlisting third parties to spy on such military installations.
National broadcaster ERT reported that while the 59-year-old confessed that the initial approach by the recruiter involved a promise of financial compensation, he admitted that he ultimately acted voluntarily, stating that he did it “for Mother Russia.” The same report suggests he had served in the Russian military in Siberia.
The suspect was apprehended following a joint operation by the National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the Alexandroupolis Crime Investigation and Detection Department.
In its official statement, police said, “He had been photographing and filming military material on behalf of another person, to whom he transmitted the content via an encrypted application.”
The port of Alexandroupolis has been used by the U.S. military, but Greece has denied there is a permanent American army base.
