The Slovenian capital of Ljubljana was to be used as a base for spying in Slovenia and other countries by a couple whose detention was reported by the media on Monday, the STA news agency reported. The couple is suspected of spying for Russia.
The suspects were arrested in December 2022 based on information from SOVA, the country’s intelligence and security agency, which identified them in cooperation with FOR THIS and the European Union. Slovenian media reported the arrest of the suspects only on Monday.
“I can confirm that our law enforcement agencies have detained two foreigners, and everything indicates that they are members of foreign intelligence,” said Andrei Benedeychich, the prime minister’s national security adviser.
– If it turns out that they were actually spying for Russiait will be one of the greatest successes that SOVA has achieved since its inception – said Benedejczicz.
LjubljanaShutterstock
According to media reports, the suspects have two children, lived on the outskirts of Ljubljana and used fake Argentinian passports. As a cover for their business, they ran a real estate agency and an antique shop. They were to use Ljubljana as a base to spy on Slovenia and other countries, reports the STA agency.
Espionage suspects
The Ljubljana District Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that it had initiated an investigation. The suspects have been remanded in custody and face up to eight years in prison if found guilty.
When asked about the case on Monday, Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon described it as “very serious”. The Russian ambassador has not yet been summoned to the Foreign Ministry, and the ministry is not currently conducting any arrest activities, she added.
Espionage is punishable by sentences ranging from six months to five years in prison in Slovenia. However, the “Slovenia Post” notes that in this case, those arrested can be sentenced to eight years. The sentence for espionage can be up to three years for using forged documents.
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