A 23-year-old Portuguese man has been charged with attempted espionage after allegedly stealing a laptop and tablet from a Swedish NATO serviceman in Lisbon with the intention of selling potentially classified information to the Russian Federation.
The suspect, who is currently being held on remand, also faces charges of attempted espionage, three counts of aggravated theft and additional offences, according to prosecutors.
The incidents are said to have taken place between 3rd and 7th February last year, when around 300 people, the majority of them military personnel, gathered at the Escola da Base Naval do Alfeite for a major conference.
The event focused on planning the world’s largest exercise dedicated to the experimental use of unmanned robotic systems, known as REP (MUS), Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems.
Prosecutors say the defendant recognised the considerable tactical relevance of the meeting for NATO and its allies, including Portugal. They allege he also understood that the material discussed could be of interest to foreign intelligence services outside the alliance, such as those of Russia.
According to the indictment, the suspect, described as making a living through theft, checked into the same Lisbon hotel where NATO personnel were staying. There, he allegedly stole a computer and tablet belonging to NATO and the Swedish Navy, assigned to a Swedish serviceman on NATO duty.
Prosecutors state that, “convinced he had classified and secret material in his possession”, the accused attempted to access and copy the contents of the devices. He is further alleged to have sought to collaborate with the Russian Federation by trying to sell the information to its agents or associates.
To that end, investigators say he approached the Russian Embassy in Lisbon, though he ultimately failed to achieve his objective. Authorities also allege that he used other people’s identification documents in an attempt to conceal his identity.
The case is being led by Portugal’s Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action.
During the investigation, the suspect reportedly expressed a willingness, later determined to be feigned, to cooperate with authorities. In that context, he claimed to be part of a criminal organisation allegedly engaged in espionage and breaches of state secrecy.
He identified 11 other individuals as members of the supposed network, including an inspector from the Judiciary Police, accusing them of involvement in espionage and other crimes.
However, prosecutors say the evidence gathered during the inquiry demonstrated that the account “had no correspondence with reality and was nothing more than a ploy used by the defendant to divert the focus of the investigation away from himself and, probably, from third parties he never identified”.
The main suspect remains in pre-trial detention and is subject to a prohibition on contact. Two other defendants in the case have been placed under less restrictive measures, including mandatory residence requirements.
Source: JN
