Greek Defense General Staff (GEETHA) announced on Thursday, February 5th, that the Greek Ministry of Defense has arrested a member of the Greek Armed Forces, accusing him of leaking “classified information” to a “third party.” Greek media reports indicate that the suspect is an Air Force officer who is suspected of assisting in espionage activities for the Chinese Communist Party.
According to the announcement by the Greek Defense General Staff, “On Thursday morning, February 5, 2026, the responsible military authorities arrested an Armed Forces officer. The arrest operation took place within a military area and in coordination with other national departments (under the supervision of the authorized prosecutor’s office), based on clear indications that the officer violated the Military Penal Code by collecting and transmitting secret information of significant military importance to a third party, potentially endangering national interests.”
The Greek newspaper “To Vima” reported that the arrested individual is a 50-year-old Air Force officer who previously served as a commander at the Kavouri Air Force Base and has admitted to engaging in espionage activities for the Chinese Communist Party.
Several months ago, Greek authorities began investigating the case following a tip-off from allied intelligence agencies. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) closely monitored the officer in question.
On Thursday, authorities launched the arrest operation after assessing that the quantity and importance of the “sensitive” information he transmitted were posing an increasing risk. Authorities are currently investigating whether he was involved in any similar incidents in recent times.
Due to his senior position as a colonel, the officer had access to classified NATO documents and crucial data. His illicit activities were uncovered through “digital traces” he left behind when accessing relevant documents using QR codes. It is alleged that he transmitted highly confidential information to Beijing through this method.
According to the “Greek City Times,” the identity of the officer has not been disclosed, but he held important communications and electronic systems positions within the Greek Air Force. Initial reports suggest that the leaked data involved sensitive NATO-relationed information, although officials clarify that the recipient was not Turkey, a neighboring country with strained relations with Greece, but rather the Communist China, referred to as a “competitor of the U.S.” in earlier reports.
This incident is not isolated. Previously, there have been confirmed instances of Chinese espionage activities targeting Greek military assets. In July 2025, four Chinese citizens were detained for filming Greek “Rafale” fighter jets near the Tanagra Air Base and facilities operated by the Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI). Among the four individuals, including a minor, who disguised themselves as tourists, police found a large amount of multimedia evidence related to the operations of that base.
Greek authorities subsequently launched a comprehensive investigation to determine if this was part of a larger-scale intelligence gathering operation, raising concerns about Beijing’s interest in advanced military technologies in Europe.
It’s not just Greece; other European countries are also dealing with Chinese espionage cases. The Paris prosecutor’s office announced on Wednesday, February 4, that four individuals, including two Chinese citizens, were arrested on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities for China in France. The prosecutor’s office’s cybercrime department is investigating allegations that the Chinese citizens were attempting to use “Starlink” to steal sensitive data from the French government and military.