Espionage case: The 54-year-old colonel is to be detained – He testified for eight hours

The 54-year-old colonel, accused of acting as a spy by leaking classified information to China in exchange for payment, was deemed to be detained with the agreement of both the judge and the prosecutor. The accused requested his detention, claiming that it would “relieve him” from the situation, and attributed his actions to his desire for financial improvement. He also mentioned that he was under significant pressure from China to deliver NATO documents.

According to his lawyers, the colonel stated that he found himself in a very difficult and dangerous situation that he had to manage.

His lawyers also revealed that the colonel named three individuals involved in the case.

The colonel is expected to be transferred to the Korinthos prison.

Meanwhile, the investigation by the National Intelligence Service (EYP), the General Staff of National Defense (GEEF), and cybercrime experts continues as they seek to identify the colonel’s connections and potential accomplices.

EYP and military sources claim to have undeniable evidence against the colonel, backed by a solid indictment, which is the result of months of intelligence gathering and ongoing retrieval of digital traces by expert investigators.

The colonel prepared his testimony in the detention cells of the Air Force at Karea. According to reports from ERT, he will repeat what he previously confessed during the preliminary investigation, admitting his guilt for espionage on behalf of China and naming his Chinese contact.

Selling Classified Information to Beijing

Using a secret phone equipped with encrypted software, the Air Force officer sent military documents and plans to his Chinese contact. He photographed the classified information and sent the documents to Beijing using encrypted software.

According to ERT’s reports, he became a spy by betraying his country’s secrets for money.

The officer has admitted to the espionage, describing how he met his Chinese contact, detailing their meetings in Athens, and revealing the classified information he had access to.

The Mysterious Woman in the Spy Ring

The shadowy figure behind the espionage plot is a woman, who, according to military officials handling the case, is a crucial link between the colonel and his Chinese handler. This woman is said to be high up in the espionage hierarchy and possibly holds significant value to China, far more than the colonel himself. She was present during meetings between the colonel and his Chinese source in Athens, and this was documented by the National Intelligence Service.

Investigation Focused on Retired Officers with Chinese Connections

The investigation by the National Intelligence Service and the General Staff of National Defense is focusing on retired officers with ties to China and ongoing communication channels with similar contacts to those the Air Force officer had.

At the same time, they are categorizing the types of information that the 54-year-old officer sent to his Chinese contact, who had presented himself as a businessman from China.

The Name of the Chinese Agent

According to the colonel’s testimony, the individual who recruited him and acted as his contact went by the name “Steven.” However, EYP officials remain skeptical about whether this is his real name or just an operational alias.

Their cooperation, which included meetings in Athens and Beijing and continuous encrypted communications, began in 2025 with a critical meeting at a well-known restaurant in Piraeus. Initially, the officer leaked geopolitical studies, with his payment ranging from 500 to 600 euros. However, their relationship quickly escalated, and after gaining the necessary trust, the accused began sending classified military documents of significant national importance.

“Steven” is said to have deposited 5,000 euros per month, or 15,000 euros every three months, into the colonel’s digital wallet on his secret phone. To avoid suspicion, the 54-year-old officer admitted to going disguised to ATMs, withdrawing small amounts of money, around 200-300 euros, to gradually liquidate the funds from his espionage activities.