Austria is grappling with a significant espionage scandal involving former Austrian intelligence officer Egisto Ott, who is accused of providing sensitive information to Russia's FSB. The allegations include Ott handing over data from the cell phones of three Austrian interior ministry officials in 2022, which were compromised after a canoe tipped over. Chancellor Karl Nehammer has announced the convening of the national security council to address the threat posed by Russian spy networks and to reassess the country's security measures, emphasizing the need to evaluate and clarify the security situation. The arrest of Ott, prompted by a British tip-off, underscores the urgency of deterring Russian infiltration efforts amid serious allegations. The case has also drawn attention to the suspected involvement of fugitive former executive Jan Marsalek, who is believed to have assisted in the delivery of an encrypted laptop to the FSB in Moscow.
News🔥Austrian ex-intelligence officer Egisto O. is suspected of spying for #Russia. In November 2022 an encrypted laptop ended up with the FSB in Moscow. The delivery was apparently organized by Jan Marsalek - with help from #Berlin. Our report: https://t.co/h9G6lnvdw1 #Austria
⚡️Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said in a statement on April 1 that the country's National Security Council would be convened to discuss how to better protect itself from Russian intelligence infiltration. https://t.co/1Y9aekA1O5
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said it was time to evaluate and clarify the security situation in the country following the arrest of a former Austrian intelligence officer on suspicion of spying for Russia. https://t.co/edFfiTvRgR
The arrest in recent days of a former Austrian intelligence officer on serious allegations of spying for Russia suggests that Austria needs to boost its security to thwart Russian infiltration, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Monday. https://t.co/lh2uHUfXP8
Austria says it must deter Russian infiltration after allegations of spying emerge https://t.co/WPpooxatgq https://t.co/SdsWG0sF1Z
Yet another Austrian government caught official selling stare secrets to Russia. https://t.co/odOv8I4U9W
🔴 An Austrian spy with suspected links to a fugitive former executive has been arrested on suspicion of selling confidential information to Russia after a British tip-off https://t.co/4CbuERnmbq
#Austria to convene national security council over Russian spying - Chancellor Karl Nehammer "Russian spy networks threaten our country by infiltrating or exploiting political parties or associations," he said. The council will be convened after the detention of Egisto Ott, a… https://t.co/WDU69AtD2l
Ex-Austrian intelligence agent Egisto Ott in 2022 gave the data of 3 Austrian interior minister officials’ cell phones to Russia’s FSB (copied after being sent for repair when they got wet after a canoe tipped over on a ministry team building trip). Wild. https://t.co/KE2PicaSwa