Vienna’s Espionage Scandal: Austria’s Biggest in Decades
VIENNA — Austria is embroiled in what is being deemed as its most significant espionage scandal in decades, triggered by the arrest of a former domestic security official and a cascade of allegations and accusations.
Egisto Ott, 61, was apprehended at the end of March under suspicion of spying for Russia.
According to an 86-page Austrian police warrant, obtained by Austrian and German media, Ott is believed to have leaked information to Jan Marsalek, the fugitive executive of the collapsed German payments firm Wirecard.
Marsalek, 44, and also an Austrian citizen, is wanted by German authorities for alleged fraud and is currently believed to be in Moscow, having fled via Austria in 2020.
A recent report by a group of European newspapers revealed that Marsalek was recruited by Russian agents back in 2014.
The Austrian police warrant suggests that the former Wirecard boss instructed Egisto Ott and another Austrian security officer to share sensitive information with Russia for several years, starting from 2017.
Ott denies any wrongdoing and is currently in custody. After being suspended in 2017, he was detained four years later before being released. His most recent arrest came after new evidence was provided by British intelligence.
Reports indicate that Ott is suspected of transferring phone data from senior Austrian interior ministry officials to Russia.
Austria’s Standard newspaper alleges that Ott obtained the phones after they accidentally fell into the Danube on an interior ministry boating trip. He allegedly copied their contents and shared them with Jan Marsalek and Moscow.
Additionally, Ott is suspected of obtaining the Vienna address of Bulgarian journalist Christo Grozev under false pretenses.
Grozev is renowned for his investigations into Russian intelligence activities, including the 2022 poisoning of opposition politician Alexei Navalny who tragically passed away in a Russian prison earlier this year.
Christo Grozev has since left Vienna, citing security concerns as the reason for his departure.
Austria’s Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, has labeled the Egisto Ott case as “a threat to democracy and our country’s national security,” urging for a prompt investigation into the matter.
The spy scandal has reignited fears that Austria may be a hub for Russian espionage activities.
The Greens have accused the far-right Freedom Party of facilitating Russian espionage, portraying them as “an extension of Russia’s arm” within Austria.
The Freedom Party (FPÖ), currently in opposition, has denied all allegations related to Jan Marsalek and Egisto Ott.
Several parties are calling for a parliamentary committee to delve into the scandal, including the Freedom Party.
In a statement, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl emphasized the need for “actual clarification instead of an election campaign show.” — BBC
