A senior Hellenic Air Force colonel has been remanded in custody on suspicion of espionage involving China, Greek authorities said, in a case that has shaken military and intelligence circles.
The 54‑year‑old officer appeared before an investigating magistrate on Friday and is accused of transmitting highly classified Greek and NATO military information to third parties using encrypted communication software, potentially endangering national security, according to state media and court sources.
Under charges that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, prosecutors have also noted that, under the new Military Penal Code, a conviction could result in the loss of Greek citizenship.
Defense lawyer Vasilis Hirdaris told reporters his client, arrested on Thursday, “remains calm and is confident that justice will prevail.”
State broadcaster ERT reported that the colonel allegedly confessed to officials from the Hellenic National Defense General Staff’s cybersecurity directorate, officers from the National Intelligence Service (EYP) and the military prosecutor, and identified his contact in China. Investigators also reportedly unlocked his mobile phone.
The probe, which began months ago, was triggered after the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency informed EYP that a Greek Armed Forces officer was leaking sensitive NATO‑related information, prompting military commanders to be notified immediately, Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported.
The officer has led the 128th Telecommunications and Electronics Training Squadron in Kavouri, near Athens, since 2014 and, as a communications and information systems engineer, had access to NATO and Greek military networks, including projects involving airborne radar systems, weapons procurement and allied operational planning. He also served as a NATO‑accredited evaluator in communications and information systems.
Authorities are continuing to examine his contacts to determine whether accomplices or a wider network may be involved, Kathimerini added.