Greek authorities have detained a 36-year-old Georgian man on suspicion of spying on a key US naval facility on the island of Crete, Reuters reported, citing police and intelligence sources.
The suspect was detained at Athens International Airport following information provided by Greece’s intelligence service.
The case centers around the strategic military hub at Souda Bay in western Crete, which hosts facilities used by Greece, the United States, and NATO. The base plays a crucial role in operations across the eastern Mediterranean. Most recently, the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford docked at Souda Bay for resupply before departing for the Middle East.
Officials said photographs of the aircraft carrier were discovered on the suspect’s mobile phone. Authorities are also examining possible communication links between the man and an individual in Iran via a mobile application, according to a Greek intelligence source.
The Georgian national reportedly arrived in Greece from Germany on February 3 and had been staying at a hotel near Souda Bay last month. Sources indicate that he has not yet issued any statement regarding the allegations.
Greek authorities have launched a formal investigation, including analysis of digital evidence seized during the detention.
In a separate incident in June, Greek police arrested another man on suspicion of espionage after he had also stayed near the naval and air force base in western Crete. Security around the facility has been heightened since Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran. Authorities are currently examining whether the two cases maybe connected.
