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FRANCE-RUSSIA-ESPIONAGE-DEFENCE-ARREST
Senior French officer detained over suspected espionage: judicial source
PARIS, Aug 31, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – A senior French military officer has been indicted and jailed on charges involving “intelligence with a foreign power that undermines the fundamental interests of the nation”, a judicial source said on Sunday.
The French army officer was stationed abroad, said the source confirming details in a report from Europe 1 radio. According to the media report, the soldier was stationed on a NATO base in Italy and is suspected of espionage on behalf of Russia.
The French defence ministry said earlier it was investigating a senior military officer over a “security breach”.
BSS/AFP/MMA/0825HRS