French Army officer arrested on suspicion of working for Russian Intelligence

In France, a colonel of the armed forces, who served at a NATO military base in Italy, was arrested on suspicion of transferring top-secret information to Russian special services.

This was announced by the Minister of the Armed Forces of France, Florence Parley on the air of radio Europe 1 on Sunday.

“I can confirm that a high-ranking officer has started a judicial inquiry due to suspicion of transmitting [important information] or inflicting damage to security. A procedure has been initiated against him because the Ministry of the Armed Forces has taken a proactive approach to the prosecutor’s office,” she said. “We have taken all the necessary security measures. Now it is necessary for the judicial system to do its job in accordance with the principle of secrecy of the investigation.”

She added that only the judicial system will be able to confirm the motives of the soldier’s actions and determine the elements of a possible crime.

According to the radio station, this officer served at the NATO military base in Italy. He was detained by officers from the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI) of France as he planned to return to Italy at the end of his vacation.