A 39-year-old Greek national of Russian origin named Anatoly or Alexandros – is suspected of having carried out espionage for several years for the Russian military intelligence GRU to the detriment of Austria. It is about the son of a former officer of the Russian intelligence GRU, who during his active service worked as a diplomat in Germany and Austria, local media write.
Investigations by the DSN (Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence) with foreign partners and in cooperation with the prosecutor’s office in Vienna apparently show that the man also received special military training in Russia. The 39-year-old spy was in contact with diplomats and intelligence officials from various countries and was in Moscow shortly before and during the military invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. In particular, the suspect is accused of divulging state secrets.
On March 24, his residence in Vienna-Donaustadt was searched, and due to the dangerous nature of the man, two teams of the anti-terrorist unit “Cobra” were sent, writes “Kurier”.
During the search of properties (Cobra officers stormed, among other things, a house hidden behind a high fence and garden hedge near the Lobau nature reserve in Vienna) a signal detector, listening devices, a sapper suit were seized from the suspect , mobile phones, laptops and tablets.
Results of the investigation of the Austrian secret services prove the following: From 2018 to the beginning of 2022, the 39-year-old man made a total of 65 trips abroad, including to Russia, Belarus, Turkey and Georgia. What impressed the investigators was that, despite receiving only low social benefits in Austria, the suspect simultaneously acquired several properties in Vienna, Russia and Greece.
According to the Austrian authorities, the man in the first place probably served as a kind of barometer for the mood in Austria. He is said to have procured information on foreign policy, the overall social situation and security and passed it on to Russia. So the trip to Moscow shortly before the start of the war was probably not accidental, but a purposeful exchange of information received from Austria.
In addition, the suspect exchanged information not only during the trip. A special system of secret hiding places where he left messages was also developed in Vienna. The locations are visible to the recipient through the most inconspicuous markings. As the investigations show, during the transmission of the information at the same time and in the same place, a representative of the Russian Embassy was always present.
After the arrest, the 39-year-old suspect is currently at large. If convicted, he faces six months to five years in prison.
It remains questionable whether, after the espionage case came to light, another expulsion of Russian diplomats is imminent. In April, Austria – after a long period of hesitation – revoked the diplomatic status of three members of the Russian embassy in Vienna and one member of the consulate general in Salzburg. The possible activity of Russian diplomats in the secret services was cited as the reason for this, “Kurier” recalls.
