In what is being labeled Austria's largest spying trial in years, former intelligence officer Egisto Ott is facing serious allegations of espionage for Russia. The trial commenced Thursday in Vienna, with Ott, 63, accused of supplying sensitive data to Russian intelligence officials and to Jan Marsalek, a fugitive linked to the collapsed German payment firm Wirecard.
Ott has denied the charges against him. Marsalek, who is also an Austrian national, is wanted by German police for fraud and is suspected to reside in Moscow after fleeing in 2020.
Rumors suggest that Marsalek might be involved in a broader intelligence network for the FSB, Russia's powerful security agency. The espionage scandal has reignited concerns about Austria serving as a base for Russian espionage activities.
According to Vienna prosecutors, Ott misused his position as an intelligence officer from 2015 to 2020. He reportedly collected vast amounts of sensitive data, including information on individuals' travels, vehicle registrations, and other personal data, often accessing police databases illegally.
Further allegations involve Ott allegedly transferring sensitive materials to the Russian intelligence service, including a laptop embedded with security codes used by EU states. In a remarkable episode, he is said to have recovered and copied data from devices that fell into the River Danube during a ministry outing, sharing that information with Marsalek and potentially Russia.
If found guilty of charges including abuse of authority and corruption, Ott faces up to five years in prison. Austria's former Chancellor Karl Nehammer branded the case a direct challenge to the country's democracy and national safety. Additionally, former MP Thomas Schellenbacher is now under investigation for allegedly aiding Marsalek's escape.
This unfolding drama not only outlines a specific instance of alleged espionage but also raises alarm bells about the ongoing Russian influence in Austria, making it a situation to watch closely.
Ott has denied the charges against him. Marsalek, who is also an Austrian national, is wanted by German police for fraud and is suspected to reside in Moscow after fleeing in 2020.
Rumors suggest that Marsalek might be involved in a broader intelligence network for the FSB, Russia's powerful security agency. The espionage scandal has reignited concerns about Austria serving as a base for Russian espionage activities.
According to Vienna prosecutors, Ott misused his position as an intelligence officer from 2015 to 2020. He reportedly collected vast amounts of sensitive data, including information on individuals' travels, vehicle registrations, and other personal data, often accessing police databases illegally.
Further allegations involve Ott allegedly transferring sensitive materials to the Russian intelligence service, including a laptop embedded with security codes used by EU states. In a remarkable episode, he is said to have recovered and copied data from devices that fell into the River Danube during a ministry outing, sharing that information with Marsalek and potentially Russia.
If found guilty of charges including abuse of authority and corruption, Ott faces up to five years in prison. Austria's former Chancellor Karl Nehammer branded the case a direct challenge to the country's democracy and national safety. Additionally, former MP Thomas Schellenbacher is now under investigation for allegedly aiding Marsalek's escape.
This unfolding drama not only outlines a specific instance of alleged espionage but also raises alarm bells about the ongoing Russian influence in Austria, making it a situation to watch closely.
