Greek and French authorities probe alleged Chinese espionage targeting NATO tech, satellite data and military secrets, raising fears of wider spy networks.
Greek and French authorities arrested suspected spies in separate operations this week, with both cases involving alleged transmission of classified military data to China.
Greek military authorities arrested a colonel Thursday on suspicion of providing classified and top secret information to China, according to the General Staff of National Defence.
The officer was arrested inside the military camp where he was stationed. He allegedly had access to information concerning new Armed Forces technologies under development and was sending classified information electronically from within his unit, according to investigators.
Greek authorities said there are indications the officer attempted to recruit others into an intelligence network.
The Hellenic Defence Ministry said there were "clear indications of the commission of criminal offences under the Military Criminal Code," specifically "the collection and transmission of secret information of military importance to third parties, with the risk of causing damage to national interests."
The officer, who commands a training battalion focused on telecommunications and electronic systems, was stationed at an Air Force unit in Kavouri and had access to classified information from multiple branches of the Greek military and allied nations, according to Greek media reports.
Greek newspaper Kathimerini reported that the officer allegedly transferred top-secret information using special classified software. Authorities found a "special machine with software" allegedly supplied by Chinese authorities to photograph classified documents and send them to recipients.
Greek media reported the officer confessed after his arrest, describing recruitment by a Chinese official, possibly at a conference abroad, and admitted sending information for payment.
The case began to unfold about two months ago when the CIA informed Greece's National Intelligence Service that a member of the Greek Armed Forces was leaking sensitive information concerning NATO issues to China, according to kathimerini.gr.
Much of the material allegedly relates to NATO projects, which has attracted interest from NATO allies, particularly the United States.
Fears of satellite espionage in France
In France, authorities charged four people, including two Chinese nationals, with suspected interception of sensitive military data, Agence France-Presse reported Thursday.
The four were arrested over the weekend in southwestern Gironde, where the two Chinese suspects allegedly rented Airbnb apartments as part of a plan to collect sensitive information, including military intelligence.
The case began when residents saw the installation of a satellite dish about two metres in diameter on 30 January, which coincided with a local internet outage.
An investigation the following day identified a "system of computers connected to satellite dishes" that allowed the recording of satellite data. Authorities believe the installation could have intercepted "exchanges between military entities," AFP reported.
The two Chinese nationals travelled to France with the aim of collecting data from the Starlink satellite internet system and other "vital entities" and transmitting it to China, according to reports.
The French investigation focuses on "handing over information to a foreign power" that could harm key national interests, an offence punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Two people were taken into custody and two were placed under judicial supervision. The two other suspects were arrested for allegedly illegally importing the equipment, AFP reported.
Greek and French authorities are investigating how much material was transmitted, what specific information was involved, who the recipients were and whether intelligence networks exist.