A Polish man was arrested in Greece near a naval base on Crete, suspected of espionage, but maintains he was on vacation.
Polish Man Detained, Ministry Confirms
The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the detention of a Polish citizen on Friday, March 13th. Officials stated that investigative actions are underway and a decision on charges will be made upon their completion.
Arrest Near Strategic Naval Facility
Greek authorities detained the man near strategically important naval facilities in the Suda Bay area of Crete, according to the AFP news agency. Greek media reports indicate the man is suspected of espionage.
Claim of Vacation, Prior Visits
The 58-year-old was arrested in Chania after authorities were alerted to him photographing military installations in the area. According to the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini,” the man consistently denies the accusations, claiming he was in Greece solely for vacation.
He stated he had visited the area on previous occasions, expressing a fondness for the location.
Defense: Photos for Personal Sharing
The man’s lawyer asserts that his client does not deny taking the photographs but emphasizes they were not made public. The lawyer explained the photos were shared with family and friends in private conversations, who were interested as they rarely see such installations in Poland.
Photographs Included Ship Identifications
According to “Kathimerini,” the 58-year-old allegedly sent photos with accompanying commentary to at least 10 recipients with Polish mobile phone numbers, identifying incoming and outgoing ships, including those heading towards Iraq.
Items Found in Vehicle and Phone
Investigators found binoculars, digital storage devices, a tablet, a laptop, SIM cards, and handwritten notes in the man’s van. His phone contained dozens of photos of submarines and warships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, and military aircraft stationed in the area.
Months-Long Stay Near Naval Base
The man had been living in Marathi, a coastal town near the Suda naval base, for several months. He had been in Greece for approximately four months, with the last two spent on Crete, traveling in a vehicle with Polish license plates and residing in a camper.
Recent Espionage Arrests in Greece and Cyprus
Last year, a 36-year-old Georgian citizen was arrested near the Crete base and convicted of illegal entry and stay. Greek authorities investigated whether he was gathering information for Iran. Another citizen of Azerbaijan was also arrested on suspicion of espionage after possessing numerous photos of the Suda base.
Earlier in March, Cypriot media reported the arrest of a man suspected of spying on the British military base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, with alleged ties to Iranian intelligence.
Ukraine’s Changing Role in the Middle East
Serhiy Danylov, deputy director of the Ukrainian Center for Middle Eastern Studies, stated, “Arabs previously did not view Ukraine as a player that could contribute something. Now we are seeing a change.”
