Portuguese authorities this week confirmed earlier reports they had detained an intelligence services officer on suspicion of being a double agent and selling secrets to Russia, according to Expatica.
A Lisbon court judge ruled that Frederico Carvalhao Gil, extradited following his arrest in Rome on May 21 on suspicion of handing over confidential documents to a Russian national, should be detained on suspicion of spying, Expatica reports.
The 57-year-old is being held on suspicion of espionage, selling state secrets, corruption and money laundering.
Some of the documents he is accused of passing to a Russian handler for payment reportedly contain confidential information on European security and NATO operations. Portugal is both an EU and NATO member.
Gil`s lawyer Jose Preto, in comments to Portugal`s Lusa press agency, called the arrest of his client ”totally illegal” and the allegations against him ”absolute fiction” and ”absurd.”
Media reports indicated Gil is a long-serving and senior member of Portugal`s SIS intelligence services, set up in 1985 just as the country prepared to join the European Union.