A French officer is suspected of spying on behalf of Russia. The information revealed by radio Europe 1 was confirmed on Sunday August 30 by the French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly. "What I can confirm is that a senior officer is facing legal proceedings for a security breach," she said. The Ministry of the Armed Forces itself seized French justice, she said, without giving any information on the facts of which the officer is accused.

According to the radio, the officer in question, who has the rank of lieutenant colonel, was recently indicted for treason for the benefit of Russia. He is based in Italy and stationed with NATO and is suspected of having transmitted sensitive documents to the Russian secret services.

Interested by the DGSI, according to Europe 1

"We have taken all the safeguards that were necessary," said the minister, adding that it was now up to the courts to do their job.

According to information from Europe 1, the officer was arrested by the General Directorate of Internal Security when he was about to return to Italy and was remanded in custody at the Health prison in Paris.

With AFP and Reuters

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