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A senior Greek Air Force officer with access to NATO intelligence has been arrested on suspicion of spying for China, in what officials describe as one of the most serious security breaches uncovered in recent years.
Christos Flessas, a colonel in the Hellenic Air Force and commander of the 128th Telecommunications Training Squadron in Kavouri, was taken into custody after a months-long intelligence operation that began with a tip-off from an allied country’s secret service.
According to Greek authorities, Flessas held a sensitive post that gave him access to classified military information, including material linked to NATO operations, defense technology, and national security planning.
Investigators say the officer used a specialized electronic device equipped with software allegedly supplied by Chinese intelligence to secretly photograph classified documents and send them abroad. The information was transmitted electronically to a handler believed to be operating on behalf of Beijing.
Authorities were able to trace his activities after he reportedly left digital traces through a QR-code-based system he used to transfer the material, allowing investigators to track the flow of highly sensitive data.
Greece’s National Intelligence Service, known as EYP, placed Flessas under close surveillance after receiving the initial warning. As the investigation progressed, officials determined that he had gathered a large volume of classified material and was preparing to send more.
The arrest was accelerated after intelligence services concluded that the officer was also attempting to recruit others, raising concerns that the breach could widen.
The case has drawn particular attention because of Flessas’ role within a NATO-related intelligence environment, making it a matter of concern not only for Greece but also for the United States and other allied countries. Officials say the leaked material could have included operational plans and sensitive technological data tied to allied defense systems.
Authorities have not disclosed how long Flessas is believed to have been passing information or how much data may have been compromised. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
