Key facts
- Two individuals arrested in Italy for allegedly spying for Russia.
Italian authorities have arrested two individuals, including a former intelligence officer, on suspicion of passing classified information to a Russian agent. The investigation is ongoing, with five others also under scrutiny.
The arrests highlight ongoing espionage concerns between Italy and Russia, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine, and underscore the risks of intelligence leaks within allied nations.
Italian authorities have arrested two individuals, including a former intelligence officer, on suspicion of transferring classified information to a Russian agent. The Rome prosecutor's office stated on Tuesday that the main suspect, a 59-year-old former officer in the Carabinieri military police who had worked within the intelligence community, faces charges including the transfer of protected information and unauthorized access to IT and telecommunications services.
Five other individuals have been placed under investigation as part of a probe initiated in May 2025. Prosecutors allege the main suspect received money for passing information obtained from his sources, which included four serving members of the Italian military, to a Russian operative who reportedly holds diplomatic immunity in Italy.
There was no immediate comment from the Russian embassy in Rome. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto remarked that the investigation revealed Russia's stance towards Italy, a country that has provided military and civilian aid to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. He described the situation as a 'hybrid war' involving external enemies and internal traitors.
This incident follows a 2021 case where Italian navy captain Walter Biot was arrested for handing over documents to a Russian embassy employee and was later sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison.
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