Developments are being reported by ERT regarding the espionage case involving a 54-year-old air force commander, with the shadow figure apparently being a woman. The commander was reportedly recruited by her in Beijing, China in 2024, when he had traveled either for a foreign language seminar or for a regular NATO event, where he was accredited. The commander will give his testimony on Tuesday, February 10, however the investigation continues, as the evidence is overwhelming and indicative of the scope of the case. On Saturday, February 7, evidence emerged suggesting that the commander was meeting with his Chinese contact in Athens during 2025, however the report states that the woman was present at that meeting. In fact, it is reported that teams from the Hellenic National Defense General Staff and EYP have in their possession photographs showing this woman with the specific man. Additionally, it is emphasized that the woman has no connection to the military, however she is a high-level spy and… resides at the top of the pyramid.
Read: Searching for accomplices of the commander-spy – How his activities were uncovered
EYP and Air Court: The moves that led to the arrest
The EYP had placed the 54-year-old treacherous Air Force commander and director of the 128th Communications-Electronics Training Squadron in Kavouri under surveillance for the last four months, since October 2025, while recently the Air Force officer reportedly had collected a massive volume of confidential material. The investigation began after information received by the National Intelligence Service from a foreign service, which indicated that there was a possibility that a Greek was disseminating military information for payment to a person with Chinese interests. During the months-long investigation, authorities found that the information was accurate and concluded it was the aforementioned commander, who, according to sources, served as commander of the Communications-Electronics Training Squadron in Kavouri. Last Thursday it was decided to conduct the relevant operation, during which he was arrested.
What material was reportedly leaked – NATO plans and operational data
As became known, the Air Force officer began his activities from the Air Force General Staff directorate, where he served as detached personnel before taking command of the unit last summer. He is a specialized officer in electronic warfare, with continuous training in NATO staff units abroad and personal knowledge of allied force infrastructures in the broader Southeastern Mediterranean region. His contacts at the Pentagon are being carefully examined, specifically two colleagues with whom he also socialized.
His arrest was made in the act within the Squadron, following a raid by Air Police and State Security teams, while EYP officials present immediately realized he was using similar “digital keys” to their own, although he was not connected to the service.
Recently, as emerged from the investigation, he reportedly had collected a massive volume of confidential material regarding operational plans, codes, even NATO plans, movement of assets and personnel, as well as many other classified information. The commander was sending communication frequencies in “live transmission,” according to his recruiter’s wishes. The dissemination of information was done electronically, with a special device that photographed and sent documents directly and with encrypted software. The device and other digital evidence have been confiscated and will be further analyzed. It is also estimated that it was done in person, possibly even by sea, since his unit is built on the coastal zone of the Saronic Gulf.
Investigation for accomplices: Who is in the authorities’ crosshairs
A catalytic role was played by the meeting of Defense Minister Nikos Dendias on February 3 in Washington with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Deputy Secretary Elbridge A. Colby. The Americans provided additional information, including about the 53-year-old, and thus arrested him one day later. His contacts were analyzed in detail and monetary amounts were identified in companies connected to his relatives. At times – due to his high level of specialization – he was also monitored by allied force officials.
What is circulated about espionage in favor of China obviously “points” to Russia, as NATO continuously expresses concerns about the close relations between the two states. Either way, it is red-level serious.
What the law provides for espionage
While investigations are developing regarding the scope of his activities and whether the 53-year-old acted with an accomplice or accomplices, the arrested individual faces even the revocation of Greek citizenship, based on recent law 5265/2026 of the Ministry of National Defense, which includes article 298 titled “Transition Charter of the Armed Forces to the New Era.” As the specific article defines, anyone who “commits the crime of article 146 of the Penal Code (n. 4619/2019, A’ 95), regarding violation of state secrets, or article 144 of the Military Penal Code (n. 2287/1995, A’ 20), regarding transmission of military secrets, provided they have been irrevocably convicted for these crimes” can be declared as having forfeited their citizenship. It was implied that officers engage in espionage by circulating confidential elements of the three military branches.
