Suspicion of Russian espionage in Austria!
According to the Austrian Directorate for State Security and Intelligence (DSN), a Greek citizen (39) of Russian descent is suspected of having provided information on political and social discourses in Austria in connection with Russia’s war in Ukraine.
This was announced by the Ministry of the Interior in Vienna.
► Accordingly, the suspect’s apartment was stormed on March 24 in Vienna. Two teams from the Cobra anti-terrorist unit are said to have been deployed due to the man’s dangerous nature. The Austrian “Kurier” had previously reported.
The 39-year-old, who is said to have received special military training in Russia, was in contact with diplomats and various intelligence services. According to the Interior Ministry, he was in Moscow shortly before and during the Russian war in Ukraine.
Among other things, a signal detector for detecting listening devices and hidden cameras as well as a splinter protection suit were found on the suspect. According to security authorities, mobile phones and computers with ten million files were also seized.
But: The suspect is currently on the loose! He faces a prison sentence of six months to five years.
Many trips abroad made him suspicious
The authorities apparently noticed the man because of his high number of trips abroad.
︎ From 2018 to early 2022 he made a total of 65 trips to other European countries as well as to Russia, Belarus, Turkey and Georgia. He also bought real estate in Vienna, Russia and Greece, although officially he only received few social benefits, according to the ministry.
The suspect is accused of having been spying for a Russian secret service to the detriment of Austria for several years.
And apparently he wasn’t the only one: Because his father, a former diplomat who is said to have been stationed in Austria and Germany during his active service, is said to have already worked as a spy for Russia.
► What secrets the suspect spied on behalf of Russia?
First and foremost, it may have served as a kind of mood barometer from Austria. He is said to have obtained information on the foreign policy, overall social and security situation and passed it on to Russia.
So the trip to Moscow shortly before the start of the war was no coincidence, but a deliberate exchange of information about the knowledge gained from Austria.
Secret hiding places all over Vienna
But the suspect is said to have not only exchanged information while traveling. Apparently, a separate system with secret hiding places was also developed in Vienna, in which messages were deposited in order to pass on information.
► The handover locations were made visible to the recipient by mostly inconspicuous markings. As the investigations show, diplomatic personnel from Russia are said to have always been present at these handovers at both the right time and place.
(dpa, japs)