An Italian Navy officer has been arrested on charges of spying for Russia after he allegedly handed over top-secret documents to a Russian military official in exchange for money, local media reported on Wednesday.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, a naval officer and a military representative of the Russian embassy in Rome were caught during a secret meeting during an operation by the Italian security agency and gendarmerie.
The arrests came after the Rome prosecutor’s office launched an investigation.
An Italian Navy officer was arrested on Tuesday night and charged with “serious crimes related to espionage and state security,” according to ANSA.
The situation of the Russian embassy staff is being studied in connection with its diplomatic status.
In connection with the incident, Italian Foreign Minister Elizabeth Belloni summoned Russian Ambassador to Italy Sergei Razov to the ministry.