News / France

France probing senior officer with NATO for suspected espionage for Russia

Sunday, 30 August 2020 10:59 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 30 August 2020 11:01 AM ]

This file photo, taken on February 10, 2020, shows a French Rafale fighter jet before takeoff from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, off the eastern coast of Cyprus, in the Mediterranean Sea. (By AFP)

France has confirmed that it has placed a senior officer under investigation over an unidentified breach of security, amid reports that the officer had been engaged in espionage for Russia.

French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said on Sunday that her ministry had informed prosecutors about the case of the officer. She did not elaborate on what the officer was suspected of having done.

Parly, who was asked about the reports of espionage for Russia, merely said, “We have taken all the necessary safeguard measures.”

Europe 1 radio had reported earlier that a French lieutenant colonel — based in Italy and stationed with NATO — was suspected of having transferred sensitive documents to the Russian intelligence services.

According to the Europe 1 report, the officer was detained by the French security agency when he was about to return to Italy and was remanded in custody at La Santé prison in Paris.

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