Espionage on behalf of Russia: two arrests in Rome. Four serving military personnel under investigation

Two people have been arrested in Rome by the ROS Carabinieri on charges of espionage and unauthorised access to computer systems. The main suspect, a 59-year-old former member of the Italian intelligence service and a former non-commissioned officer in the Carabinieri, is accused of carrying out espionage activities in exchange for money on behalf of an alleged Russian intelligence agent, who enjoys diplomatic immunity in Italia. The man obtained information through six sources, including four serving military personnel, all of whom are under investigation.

In addition to the two arrested, there are five other suspects involved in the investigation into espionage on behalf of the Russian intelligence services, coordinated by Antonella Masala, Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Military Prosecutor’s Office in Rome, military prosecutor Enrico Peluso, and Lucia Lotti, Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office. The five, including four members of the armed forces, are under investigation, on various counts, for ‘obtaining information concerning state security’, ‘political or military espionage’, ‘disclosure of state secrets’ and ‘disclosure of information the release of which has been prohibited’. The investigation by the Carabinieri’s Special Operations Group began in May 2025 and led to two criminal proceedings, initiated respectively by the Ordinary and Military Public Prosecutors’ Offices in Rome. During the investigation, surveillance, monitoring, tailing and searches – including digital searches – were carried out. The precautionary measures were carried out with operational support from the Special Intervention Group and the Carabinieri’s Rome Provincial Command; they were ordered by the investigating magistrate of the Court of Rome at the request of the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office. The two arrested individuals are alleged, on various counts, of ‘espionage concerning information the disclosure of which has been prohibited’, ‘disclosure of information the disclosure of which has been prohibited’ and ‘unauthorised access to a computer or telecommunications system’.

One of those arrested on espionage charges as part of the ROS operation – a 59-year-old former member of the Italian intelligence services – is said to have had several exchanges with the alleged Russian agent. During these conversations, the Russian would make requests whilst the other man, in return for monetary payment, would provide the requested information, which he had obtained through his sources, including four serving military personnel employed in posts characterised by a high degree of confidentiality: they are held responsible, in various capacities, for having provided information which, in the interests of national security and/or the State’s political interests – whether domestic or international – must remain secret or is subject to a ban on disclosure.

“There can be no tolerance – especially when those in positions of responsibility are involved – towards anyone who compromises or jeopardises the security of the Republic. The protection of national security, classified information and institutions is a primary interest of the State and admits of no compromise whatsoever.” So said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, congratulating the judiciary and investigators on the operation targeting alleged espionage activities. The Ministry of Defence, he added, will take “every further measure to safeguard the integrity of its structures”.

Both individuals arrested as part of the investigation into espionage on behalf of the Russian intelligence services are former intelligence officers: one left the service in 2012, the other in 2013. And it was the AISI – according to reports – that launched the investigation last year after discovering that the Russians had managed to recruit a former Italian agent who was being paid to obtain classified information on Italian industrial production in the defence sector. It was therefore a counter-espionage operation carried out by the intelligence services.