Two people were arrested in Rome by the Carabinieri ROS (Special Operations Unit) for espionage and unauthorized access to computer systems. They are accused of engaging in espionage in exchange for money for a Russian intelligence agent , who enjoys diplomatic immunity in Italy.
The two arrested are both retired former 007 agents; the main suspect is a 59-year-old former member of the Italian intelligence service and a former non-commissioned officer in the Carabinieri . Both have been placed under house arrest.
In addition to the two arrested, there are five other suspects involved in the inquiry: four of them are military personnel , they are investigated for procuring information concerning state security, political or military espionage, revealing state secrets, and revealing information whose disclosure has been prohibited.
The investigative activity of the Carabinieri Special Operations Group began in May 2025 and gave rise to two criminal proceedings, initiated respectively by the ordinary and military prosecutor's offices in Rome.
During the investigation, observation, control, shadowing and searches, including computer searches, were carried out.
The arrested 59-year-old, the main suspect, is said to have had numerous conversations with the Russian agent. During the conversations, the Russian made requests while the other, for a fee, provided the requested information , which he had acquired through his sources, including four active-duty military personnel assigned to highly confidential roles. During the searches, approximately €20,000 in cash was found and seized .
The two arrested left the intelligence community in 2012 and 2013, respectively. It was the AISI, according to reports, that launched the investigation last year after discovering that the Russians had successfully recruited a former Italian agent who was being paid to obtain classified information on Italian defense manufacturing. It was therefore a counterintelligence operation by the intelligence community.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto : "There can be no tolerance, especially when individuals in positions of responsibility are involved, for those who compromise or put at risk the security of the Republic. The protection of national security, classified information, and institutions is a primary interest of the State and cannot be compromised in any way. The Ministry of Defense will take every further initiative to safeguard the integrity of its structures ."
(Unioneonline)