PARIS —
A senior French army officer centered abroad has been arrested and handed preliminary treason expenses for sharing remarkably delicate intelligence with a foreign electricity, authorities mentioned Sunday.
Europe-1 radio claimed that the lieutenant colonel is accused of passing “extremely-delicate” data to Russian mystery providers. It documented that the officer served on a NATO base in Italy, and was arrested although on holiday vacation in France.
French authorities would not ensure which overseas power the senior officer is suspected of spying for.
Defence Minister Florence Parly stated the officer is below investigation for “major stability breaches.” Talking on Europe-1 on Sunday, Parly reported the French military has taken “required protecting measures” as a end result.
A treason investigation was opened in late July immediately after the Defence Ministry alerted the Paris prosecutor’s workplace to suspect activity, in accordance to a judicial official.
The officer was arrested and supplied preliminary fees Aug. 21 of compromising national defence tricks, sharing intelligence with a international electricity that threatens the nation’s basic pursuits and other counts, the formal told The Affiliated Press. The formal was not approved to be publicly recognized talking about an ongoing investigation.
NATO said the business does not remark on intelligence troubles, famous that there is a judicial system underway and referred issues to French authorities.
The Russian Embassy in France did not remark.
The French defence minister also explained Sunday that France is putting “significant financial investment” into armed service functions in area — notably immediately after a 2018 incident in which a Russian satellite cozied up to a French 1 in an apparent hard work to eavesdrop on safe military services communications.
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