Suspect Arrested in Greece for Spying on U.S. Military Ships in Crete

Greek authorities have detained a 36-year-old Georgian national suspected of spying on U.S. military ships on the island of Crete.

Kathimerini reported on this.

According to law enforcement officials, the suspect arrived from Germany on February 3 and checked into a hotel near Souda Bay, home to a major naval base.

The American USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was based there before departing for the Eastern Mediterranean ahead of an operation against Iran.

From February 10, the Georgian citizen of Azerbaijani origin had been staying at a hotel opposite the naval base, and on February 16, he planned to change hotels to get a better view of the military facility.

A source in Greece’s National Intelligence Service (EYP) shared that numerous photographs of the naval base on the island of Crete were found on the suspect’s phone.

The man was detained at Athens airport, and Greek authorities are currently investigating his possible links to Iran.

The media notes that he allegedly communicated with Iranian handlers through a specialized app.

Espionage for China

In early February 2026, a 54-year-old colonel of the Greek Air Force was detained on suspicion of spying for China.

He was considered one of Greece’s top experts in electronic systems, having participated in the modernization of Patriot missile systems and the development of reconnaissance aircraft.

In addition, the detainee held key positions in the General Staff and, for a decade, worked as an accredited NATO specialist in communications and intelligence systems.

As part of these duties, he inspected military bases in Greece and across Europe, assessing radar systems, air defense networks, and critical infrastructure facilities.