French Army Officer Accused of Security Breach Amid Reports of Espionage in Favour of Russia

Europe 1 Radio reported that a French Army officer, whose identity was not disclosed, had transferred classified documents to Russia.

A senior officer in the French military is under an investigation over a suspected breach of security, French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly told Europe 1 radio on Sunday.

"We have taken all the necessary precautions", Parly said, adding that it is now up to the courts to do their job. The minister did not specify what kind of security breach the officer had committed.

Europe 1 previously reported that the military official, based in Italy and stationed with NATO, was accused of high treason amid suspicions that he had transferred highly-classified documents to Russian intelligence services.

According to the radio, the officer, ranked lieutenant colonel, was arrested by the General Directorate for Internal Security when he was about to return to Italy and was remanded in custody at La Santé Prison.