According to specialist Jean-Vincent Brisset, "it is sometimes in the interest of one reason or another to reveal an ongoing affair". He also points out that Russia remains an adversary, and that the way in which France communicates is essential. 

ANALYSIS

This is information revealed by Europe 1 this Sunday morning. A French army lieutenant-colonel posted to NATO, in Italy, was arrested by the counter-intelligence services, indicted and imprisoned ten days ago for breach of security. He is suspected of having provided ultra-sensitive documents or information to a Russian secret service agent. If the Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation, it remains silent on the case. But for its part, the government, in the person of Florence Parly, invited this Sunday of the Great Meeting of Europe 1, confirmed the information. 

"It is sometimes in your interest to disclose an ongoing affair"

"A senior officer is subject to legal proceedings for breach of security," said the Minister of the Armed Forces. A short sentence that is of strategic interest, according to Jean-Vincent Brisset, research director at the Institute of International Relations (Iris) and specialist in security issues. "We sometimes have an interest for one reason or another which will always remain obscure to reveal an ongoing affair, even if it means making it important when it is not, or vice versa", he confirms to the microphone from Europe 1.

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"Russia remains an adversary"

But in the case of this soldier suspected of treason, it is impossible to know which case it is. "We will never really know the interest of this case, it is always extremely complicated." Nevertheless, "it can be interesting to say that Russia remains an adversary [of France]", raises the specialist. "Just as it can be interesting to exchange this kind of information, accusations, with Moscow for something on the other side. The important thing is to communicate."

And in this affair, France communicates "in a negative manner vis-à-vis NATO [the military being stationed in an Italian branch of the organization, editor's note ]", affirms Jean-Vincent Brisset. Here too, it is a strategy: it could also aim "to give a good brand image of President Emmanuel Macron vis-à-vis NATO especially."