Polish Man Detained in Greece for Suspected Spying on NATO Ships in Crete

A Polish citizen has been detained in Greece on suspicion of spying on NATO military ships on the island of Crete.

According to Kathimerini, the man was detained on March 12 after police received information that he had allegedly been taking photographs of facilities at the naval base in Souda Bay.

A Polish citizen had been living for several months in a van on Marathi Beach, near the base used by Greece and the navies of allied countries.

Investigators believe that during this time he was photographing military ships entering or leaving the base at Souda Bay.

Greek prosecutors plan to bring espionage charges against the man. The case is also expected to be reviewed by the Hellenic National Intelligence Service.

According to Athens-Macedonian News Agency, the suspect is a 58-year-old Polish citizen. After his detention, police reportedly found photographs of military ships on his phone. The detained man currently denies all accusations.

Base on the island of Crete

In Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete lies one of the most important naval facilities in the eastern Mediterranean.

The base is used by the Hellenic Navy as well as by NATO forces, including those of the United States.

Earlier in March, Greek authorities also detained a 36-year-old citizen of Georgia on suspicion of spying on U.S. military ships on the island of Crete.

The U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) was also stationed there ahead of the military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Local media sources reported at the time that investigators found numerous photographs of the naval base on the suspect’s phone.