A 36-year-old Georgian citizen on Tuesday was handed down a two-year prison sentence and a 5,000-euro fine by a misdemeanor court on Crete after being found guilty of illegal entry and residence in the country, a case that has attracted widespread attention due to authorities’ suspicion that the man was spying for a foreign power.
He was arrested a day earlier near the Souda naval anchorage in western Crete on suspicion of espionage. Reports in local media have him under surveillance since early February.
Nevertheless, he was not convicted of an espionage charge, a felony that is accompanied by a lengthy prison sentence. However, the specific case file remains with the counter-terrorism service for further investigation.
During his testimony, which was conducted with the assistance of an interpreter, the defendant stated, among other things, that he works as a truck driver.
The court did not grant a suspension pending appeal, and as a result, he remained in custody and will be transferred to a correctional facility.
Souda Bay hosts a major naval anchorage often used by US warships for docking, resupply and maintenance, including its biggest assets, such as the USS Gerald R. Ford. The massive warship docked at Souda Bay last week, days before the commencement of the US and Israeli bombardment of sites in Iran. Souda Bay, just outside Chania, also hosts an important military airbase.
Reports after his arrest cited photographs on his cell phone showing naval vessels in Souda Bay, including the aircraft carrier, along with a special app suspected as facilitating the confidential transfer of media files.
Greek authorities were on alert this week due to the ongoing military operations in the Middle East.
Previous arrests of foreign nationals have been reported in the same location, with espionage suspected.
