A 36-year-old Georgian national was sentenced to two years in prison along with a €5,000 fine by the Athens One-Member Misdemeanor Court for espionage in Souda. The court ruled that the man had entered Greece illegally and overstayed his welcome, during which he attempted to conduct surveillance activities. He was apprehended shortly after his arrival from Düsseldorf and was accused of being involved in espionage activities in the vicinity of the Souda naval base.

During his court appearance, the accused claimed, through an interpreter, that he was merely a truck driver, a defense that did not hold weight against the evidence presented. The presiding judge ruled that there was sufficient ground to deem him guilty of the charges, leading to a denial of bail and the right to appeal the sentence. His actions raised significant security concerns, particularly given the sensitive nature of the naval base located in the area.

Arriving in Greece on February 3rd, the man quickly traveled to Chania, where he rented a hotel room near the maritime base. This choice was particularly suspicious, as he reportedly sought accommodations that provided better visibility of sensitive areas, further compounding the concerns about his intentions. The case underscores ongoing security vigilance in Greece regarding potential espionage activities, with tighter scrutiny on foreign nationals in strategic locations.