Austrian ex-intelligence officer who spied for Russia nabbed in Vienna

A former officer of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Fight against Terrorism (BVT) has been arrested in Vienna.

The Vienna Prosecutor's Office is investigating the alleged abuse of the suspect's official position and conducting secret intelligence in the interests of the Russian Federation. The arrested individual has been identified as Egisto Ott, a former employee of the Constitutional Protection Service, according to Austria Presse Agentur.

The Vienna Prosecutor's office is investigating him for alleged abuse of office and conducting secret intelligence to the detriment of Austria. Ott is also accused of transferring the contents of high-ranking officials' mobile phones to Russian spies.

Nina Busek, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office, confirmed the arrest of one person. However, the Falter publication also reports the detention of the suspect's son-in-law.

According to an arrest warrant issued by the prosecutor's office, a former BVT employee is now being questioned. It is not yet known whether a motion will be filed to take him into custody. The prosecutor's office has 48 hours to file for custody, that is, until March 31.