Greek authorities arrested a 26-year-old man of Azerbaijani origin on Saturday, June 22, after he was caught photographing military facilities at the Souda Bay base in Crete, raising concerns about potential espionage activities.
The man, who was reportedly born in Azerbaijan but holds a Polish passport, had rented a hotel room in close proximity to the base. According to official sources, he is believed to have been taking photos of “potential targets,” including the base itself and ships entering and leaving the naval station.
His arrest followed intelligence gathered and acted upon by Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP). He is expected to appear before a public prosecutor today on charges of espionage.
Tensions Rise Amid Middle East Escalation
According to sources within both the Greek Police and EYP, cited by national broadcaster ERT, the case is considered “very serious” and is being investigated within the broader context of heightened security measures following the latest flare-up in the Middle East. This includes recent Israeli strikes on Iran and a U.S. attack targeting Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend.
The arrival of military aircraft, tankers, and transport planes at Souda, along with ongoing preparations to reinforce air defense systems, suggest that the base is playing more than just a supporting or intelligence-gathering role. Analysts see this as evidence of deeper Greek involvement in the escalating regional crisis.
