New information surrounding the man suspected of espionage at the US military base on Souda Bay, Crete.
The 26-year-old man, of Azerbaijani origin, was arrested after authorities discovered over 5,000 photographs and videos in his possession, allegedly depicting sensitive areas of the Souda Bay military base — a key naval facility jointly operated by Greece and the United States— one of NATO’s most strategically important naval bases in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The suspect, who arrived in Greece legally on June 18, was swiftly brought before a public prosecutor. According to the police spokesperson, the man refused to provide any information during preliminary questioning and has denied all charges against him and claims he was in the country for tourism.
What Investigators Know So Far
The suspect had checked into a hotel near the Souda military base, specifically requesting a room with a view of the facility. During his brief stay, he reportedly left the hotel only twice to purchase basic items from a nearby mini-market.
Στον εισαγγελέα Χανίων με τη δικογραφία για κατασκοπεία που έχει σχηματιστεί σε βάρος του, οδηγήθηκε ο 26χρονος από το Αζερμπαϊτζαν, Πολωνός πολίτης που συνελήφθη για κατασκοπεία, Δευτέρα 23 Ιουνίου 2025. Ο 26χρονος από το Αζερμπαϊτζάν, ο οποίος βρίσκεται νόμιμα στη χώρα μας, φέρεται να τραβούσε φωτογραφίες τις στρατιωτικές εγκαταστάσεις στη Σούδα των Χανίων, καθώς και τις κινήσεις των πολεμικών πλοίων που βρίσκονται στο λιμάνι.
(ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣ ΑΓΓΕΛΑΚΗΣ/EUROKINISSI)
Police seized a camera, a laptop, a mobile phone, and a USB stick. These devices contained more than 5,000 images and videos — some depicting military installations and others showing warships entering or exiting the nearby naval station. Authorities report the material was collected in just four days and that some of it had already been sent to an unknown recipient.
In addition to the photographic material, investigators found commercial encryption software installed on the suspect’s laptop. All of his digital devices have now been sent to forensic labs to determine the extent of the data and where it may have been transmitted.
“The most important part of the investigation right now is to trace the destination of the images and videos,” said the spokesperson said. “We are conducting a thorough examination of the confiscated digital evidence — including a laptop and smartphone — to identify any deleted files and to assess whether other devices, such as cameras, were used.”
No Prior Visits to Greece
The Greek Police have confirmed that this was the individual’s first known entry into the country. While the images he captured appear to be limited to the Souda Bay region, authorities are withholding further details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Souda Bay, Crete, Greece (July 22, 2004) – Volunteer linehandlers from Naval Station Activity (NSA) Souda Bay wait on the pier as the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) arrives in Souda Bay Harbor for its first port visit since being surge deployed from its homeport in Norfolk, Va., in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the global war on terrorism.
Security services are also examining whether the suspect had any contacts within Greece, and whether his activities are connected to broader intelligence-gathering efforts.
Possible Regional Links Under Scrutiny
When asked about parallels to a recent espionage case involving another Azerbaijani national arrested in Cyprus, police officials emphasized the importance of cross-border intelligence cooperation. While it’s too early to confirm any connection, Greek intelligence services (EYP) and law enforcement are working closely with international counterparts to determine whether this case is isolated or part of a larger network.
“In such cases, the role of a country’s intelligence and law enforcement services is crucial,” Dimoglidou noted. “If there is a need to exchange information with other nations, that process will follow in due course.”
Ongoing Investigation
The suspect has been granted time to prepare his defense before further legal proceedings. Greek authorities are expected to release more details once forensic analysis of the digital evidence is complete and any potential accomplices or connections are identified.
Souda Bay, located on the island of Crete, is one of the most strategically important naval bases in the eastern Mediterranean and frequently hosts NATO and U.S. military assets. As such, any unauthorized documentation of its facilities is treated with high concern by Greek authorities.
Regional Tensions Heighten Security Concerns
The case has drawn further scrutiny given the current backdrop of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. According to sources from both the Hellenic Police and EYP, the timing of the arrest coincides with increased regional security alerts following a recent U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities — part of the broader, unofficial conflict between Israel and Iran. Souda Bay, known as one of the most significant U.S. air-naval bases in the Mediterranean, has been flagged as a potential target in the event of retaliatory actions or extremist plots.
