Austria suspects military officer of spying for Russia for decades

Austria is now demanding an explanation from Russia. Speaking to reporters, Chancellor Kurz said the case involved a colonel who allegedly carried out espionage activities from the 1990s until 2018. However, the Austrian leader did not name the officer.

Illustration photo. Photo: AP

"If confirmed, such incidents, regardless of whether they occur in the Netherlands or in Austria, do not improve relations between Russia and the European Union (EU)," Mr. Kurz said. Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl has summoned the Russian ambassador and canceled her upcoming visit to Russia, according to Mr. Kurz.

On the same day, a representative of the Austrian Ministry of Defense said that the Austrian military counterintelligence agency had revealed information that a retired officer of the country had carried out espionage activities, including transferring secret documents to Russia since the 1990s.

Earlier, Austria's Kronen Zeitung newspaper reported that an investigation was underway into a 70-year-old retired colonel who allegedly passed information about the migrant crisis, Austrian military aircraft and artillery systems to Russian military intelligence agencies since the late 1990s.

According to the newspaper, the colonel from Salzburg received about 300,000 euros from this operation. If convicted, he could face two years in prison. So far, the Russian Embassy in Austria has not commented on the above information./.