Greek authorities detain man suspected of spying on U.S. base

Greek authorities detain man suspected of spying on U.S. base

Greek authorities said it allegedly detained a 26-year-old Azerbaijani man on suspicion of espionage, after he was reportedly seen scouting the U.S. air and naval base at Souda Bay on Crete.

Greek broadcaster ERT reported on Monday, citing police and intelligence sources.

According to the report, authorities said he was seen photographing strategically sensitive locations and tracking the movements of warships entering and leaving the bay.

Police seized approximately 5,000 photographs and numerous videos.

The suspect is expected to be brought before a public prosecutor.

The arrest comes just days after a similar incident in Cyprus, where a man was detained for allegedly planning a terrorist attack on military facilities there.

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The suspect is said to have also come from Azerbaijan and to have been acting on behalf of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to Cypriot media citing government sources, he entered the country using a British passport.

Cypriot and Greek security forces said that western bases in the Mediterranean, including two British bases in Cyprus and the strategically important U.S. base in Souda, could become targets of extremist groups due to the burgeoning war between Israel and Iran.

Media reports from both countries said as a precaution, surveillance and monitoring around these military sites have been intensified. (dpa/NAN)

Greek authorities detain man suspected of spying on U.S. base