Greece detained a man for spying for Russia; he filmed military facilities

A 59-year-old man was detained in the Greek city of Alexandroupolis on espionage charges after authorities found photos and videos of military facilities and equipment on his cell phone.

Greece said that the man detained on charges of spying for Russian intelligence is an ethnic Georgian who worked as a painter. The news was reported by Ekathimerini.

According to the Greek police, the suspect transmitted confidential materials to an unknown recipient abroad using an encrypted messenger.

It is believed that the suspect had been photographing, filming, and distributing military material for at least six months.

According to media reports, the detainee was filming military supplies destined for Ukraine on his phone. The man recorded military convoys traveling to Ukraine, according to the videos taken from his cell phone, an AFP source said.

The source added that the suspect, who served in the Russian army in his youth, was probably recruited by Russian military intelligence through an intermediary.

Authorities claim that the suspect, who had been living in Greece for many years, was recruited in early fall 2024 by his compatriot, who allegedly had ties to Russian military intelligence.

Evidence seized from the man’s cell phone shows that he had been monitoring military installations for at least six months, taking pictures of equipment shipments, especially those headed to Ukraine, and sending the pictures and descriptions to his handler. “He claimed that he was ready to help the ‘homeland’ for any amount of money,” the Greek official said.

The arrest was made during a joint operation by the National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the Alexandroupolis Crime Investigation and Prosecution Department.

During the preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed that he had been photographing and filming military facilities on the order of another person. Law enforcement officials believe that the task may have included plans for possible sabotage at military facilities.

The suspected recruiter, also an ethnic Georgian, had previously conducted surveillance for Russian intelligence services and then moved to Lithuania, where he was reportedly arrested in March. Greek authorities emphasize the role of pro-Russian sentiment in the suspect’s motives.