Italy arrests ex-defence officials accused of passing secrets to Russia

Two former intelligence officers who worked at Italy’s Ministry of Defence for more than a decade have been arrested in Rome on accusations of passing classified information related to national security to Russia, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

The publication said that the suspects allegedly maintained contact with an employee of the Russian Embassy in the Italian capital.

Four individuals are involved in the case. Two additional employees of Italy’s Defence Ministry are also under investigation, the report added.

Investigators have carried out searches and seized mobile phones, computers, and other electronic devices belonging to the suspects.

By Jeyhun Aghazada