Greek authorities have arrested a 59-year-old man in Alexandroupolis, a strategic port city in northeastern Greece, on suspicion of espionage activities linked to Russia. Police reports indicate that the individual, a Greek citizen of Georgian descent, was apprehended for allegedly photographing military supply convoys. Following his arrest on Tuesday, he was presented before an investigating magistrate on Friday.
According to a police statement, the suspect confessed to capturing images and videos of military material and sending this footage to another individual through an encrypted messaging application. An anonymous police source revealed to AFP that the suspect, who identified himself as a house painter, targeted military convoys heading to Ukraine. Investigators discovered relevant video content on his cellphone, bolstering the allegations against him.
The source also noted that the man had a background in the Russian army from his youth and had reportedly been recruited by Russia’s GRU military intelligence service, possibly through an intermediary. Greek media has identified this intermediary as a Georgian man with organized crime connections currently residing in Lithuania.
Despite its historical ties to Russia, Greece has been actively supportive of Ukraine since the onset of the invasion, reflecting a shift in its geopolitical stance. The port of Alexandroupolis has gained significance as a critical conduit for the American military, facilitating the transport of supplies into Europe under a mutual defense agreement.
