A senior Greek Air Force officer has been remanded in custody in connection with a major espionage case involving the alleged transfer of sensitive national security information to China.
The 54-year-old colonel was ordered detained following an eight-hour hearing before a military court. He faces charges of leaking classified information of critical national importance. Authorities have described the case as particularly serious due to the nature of the data allegedly shared.
Admission and Apology
During his testimony, the officer admitted to his actions but claimed he became involved “unknowingly and without intent” in what he described as a process that evolved into something “nightmarish, dangerous and illegal.”
According to his legal team, he apologized to his country, the armed forces, his colleagues and his family, and expressed willingness to fully cooperate with Greek authorities in order to clarify every aspect of the case.
His lawyer stated that the request for pre-trial detention was made by the defendant himself, who wants to be judged by the Greek justice system. The defense argues that the officer found himself in exceptional and unmanageable circumstances and placed himself at the disposal of investigators from the outset.
Alleged Recruitment via LinkedIn
According to the officer’s account, the case began with a professional approach through LinkedIn, where he had posted his detailed résumé. He was allegedly contacted by an individual identifying himself as a representative of a Chinese technology company named “Steven.”
Initially, the collaboration reportedly involved low-risk research tasks for a website. However, the situation allegedly escalated during a private trip to Beijing, which he had undertaken with official leave from his service.
A second lawyer for the officer said that while in China, his client faced intense pressure and threats against his life and his family. He reportedly met with three company executives during the visit, whose names he has provided to Greek authorities. Investigators are examining whether these individuals may have been senior members of Chinese intelligence services seeking to assess his expertise and operational value.
Crypto Payments and Financial Motive
Investigators believe the officer’s motives were twofold: professional recognition and financial gain. The individual identified as “Steven Wayne” allegedly transferred payments to the officer’s cryptocurrency wallet, amounting to approximately €5,000 per month or €15,000 per quarter.
To avoid suspicion, the officer is said to have withdrawn small sums — between €200 and €300 at a time — often in disguise. The total financial benefit remains unknown, as he has not provided access codes to the cryptocurrency account through which he was reportedly paid for around 18 months.
Probe Into Possible Network
Authorities are also examining the possibility of a broader espionage network. The colonel has insisted that no other members of the armed forces were involved. Nevertheless, investigators are conducting extensive checks of records and communications from his service unit and from a senior Air Force department where he previously served as a section head.
Particular emphasis is being placed on cyber defense operations to rule out any additional misconduct.
The case has sparked concern at government level. The Deputy Minister of National Defense stated that the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness, while a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said the final outcome of the investigation is awaited, noting that bilateral relations with China are based on mutual respect.
