Chania: EU Agents Investigate if Azerbaijani Man Was Recruited by Iran or Russia

A 26-year-old Azerbaijani man, arrested recently at a hotel in Chania, Greece, is suspected of being part of an underground network operating on behalf of either Iran or Russia. Analysts from the European Union’s security services describe the case as extremely serious, though details about the suspect remain scarce. Greek authorities have limited information, with the only record showing his entry into the country on January 6 via a direct flight from Warsaw to Athens using a genuine Azerbaijani passport. The following day, he purchased advanced photographic equipment in downtown Athens, including a tripod and USB cards. There are no records of his movements until June 21 when he was detained in Chania. Investigators are trying to determine whether he remained in Greece as an invisible spy gathering photographic material and video footage for transmission to Russia or Iran, or if he left and returned later. His mobile phone, currently under examination by police forensics, may provide crucial evidence through mobile phone tower data. Speaking Russian but refusing to cooperate, the suspect claims to be just a tourist. EU analysts believe it’s likely he was recruited by entities linked to Russian state services or Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to infiltrate NATO countries and gather intelligence. This assessment aligns with the profile of similar cases involving the use of advanced encrypted applications and comparable photographic equipment. Greek intelligence services are also investigating whether the suspect’s handlers were planning something specific in Greece or merely sought imagery of the Souda Bay base, which cannot be easily monitored by satellites during heightened tensions. Decoding the iPhone found in his possession could reveal communications, materials, and movement patterns within Greece. Efforts are underway to review over 5,000 photos taken during his three-day stay in Souda, potentially shedding light on the intentions of those who recruited him.