Greek authorities have arrested a 59-year-old man in the port city of Alexandroupolis on suspicion of spying, alleging that he photographed military convoys carrying supplies to Ukraine and sent the images to a foreign contact via an encrypted application. According to police statements and media reports cited by AFP, the suspect is a Greek citizen of Georgian origin and was detained on Tuesday, April 29, before appearing before an investigating magistrate on Friday, May 2.
In a statement released by the police, it was gathered that the man “admitted to photographing and filming military equipment while acting on behalf of another person, to whom he sent the recordings via an encrypted application.” Investigators also revealed that data extracted from his mobile phone showed he had been monitoring military convoys destined for Ukraine.
A police source noted that the suspect, who claimed to be a painter, had previously served in the Russian army and was believed to have been recruited by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, through an intermediary. Greek media reports identified this intermediary as a Georgian national with alleged ties to organized crime, currently residing in Lithuania.
Alexandroupolis, a strategic hub for NATO supply operations, has become increasingly important in the context of military support for Ukraine. Despite its deep-rooted cultural and religious ties with Russia, Greece has aligned itself with Western allies and backed Ukraine since the onset of the Russian invasion in 2022.
The arrest underscores growing security concerns over foreign intelligence activity in Greece and highlights the strategic significance of Alexandroupolis in ongoing regional military logistics.
