Spying for China: 54-year-old Greek Air Force lieutenant colonel sent to Corinth prison

Espionage investigation continues in Greece after the detention of a 54-year-old lieutenant colonel of the Air Force, whom the court ordered to be taken into custody.

After many hours of testimony, he was transferred to Corinth prison. It’s about transmission classified and critical information in the interests of China.

During interrogation, the officer admitted his actions and asked for forgiveness from the state and his service.

Espionage: What the colonel revealed in his hours-long apology – Two retired officers under scrutiny pic.twitter.com/BuDHGcQQZq

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His lawyer Vasilis Heirdaris stated:

“The court granted my client’s request for detention. Our second demand is that he be convicted fairly and reasonably by the Greek judicial system.”

The accused himself said:

“I sincerely apologize to my country, military, colleagues and family. Having full confidence in military justice, I ask that you punish me in a fair and proportionate manner.”

According to him, he was trapped because he was not collaborating with a government agency, but with private companywhich provided consulting services to firms from China and other Asian countries on investment issues.

The lawyer noted that after one of his trips to China the situation changed:

“During his visit to China, they began to put serious pressure on him, demanding the handover of documents with sensitive information. He was blackmailed and he was involved in a process that he did not want to participate in.”

The lieutenant colonel stated that he did not consciously try to make excuses, emphasizing his repentance:

“Without knowledge and without intention, I became involved in a situation that became nightmarish, dangerous and illegal. In my testimony, I did not try to justify myself and did not even defend myself.”

Defense attorneys also deny the woman allegedly played a role in his recruitment.

In their words:

“He gave three names of company employees with whom he collaborated. There was no woman involved in his recruitment.”

At the same time, the investigation is checking various versions, including the possible use of tactics honey trapin which the subject is involved through personal relationships. The case materials indicate that in this case the main motive could have been cash payments.

Validation extension

Law enforcement agencies are under special attention two retired officerswho worked abroad as consultants, as well as their contacts with active military personnel.

At the same time, an inspection is being carried out of Chinese companies operating in Greece and consulting structures operating via the Internet and registered abroad.

The investigation is being conducted in cooperation with CIA and European intelligence services.

Athens News reported that the United States demands the extradition of the Greek to continue the investigation outside Greece. To do this, it is necessary to deprive the colonel of Greek citizenship.

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