Greece arrests air force officer over suspected espionage links to China

Greek authorities said they have arrested a member of the armed forces on suspicion of leaking highly sensitive military information to foreign handlers allegedly linked to China.

The arrest was confirmed by the General Staff of National Defence (GEETHA), which said the suspect was detained inside a military facility in coordination with other state services.

Sources close to the investigation said Greece’s intelligence service was alerted about two months ago by a Western security agency that classified material had been passed to China by a member of the military.

The suspect, identified by local media as an officer from an Air Force unit in the wider Athens area, had been serving in a staff role overseeing communications and electronic systems. He was placed under close surveillance for several months before authorities moved in.

Investigators believe the officer intended to leak additional sensitive information to a foreign operator abroad. Local media reported he used encrypted software to communicate and had attempted to recruit other service members to obtain access to further classified material.

Sources said the suspect confessed following his arrest. His identity has not been made public.

Military officials described the case as a major threat to Greece’s national defence and to NATO security.

There was no immediate response from China to the allegations.

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