An Italian armed forces officer who was arrested in 2021 and accused of spying for Russia was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Rome court on Friday, his lawyer told AFP.

The case caused a scandal and diplomatic crisis at the time: Rome immediately expelled two Russian diplomats, then an Italian diplomat was expelled by Moscow in retaliation.

Walter Biot, 58, a frigate captain working at the general staff of national defense in the Italian capital, was arrested on his own charge in March 2021 after he was watched as a car park where he handed over documents to a Russian military intelligence officer in exchange for 5,000 euro.

Mr Biot will appeal his conviction and sentence, handed down yesterday in a closed-door hearing following his trial on charges of espionage, disclosure of state secrets linked to national security and corruption.

Another appeal against his previous conviction — 30 years in prison — by a military court is pending in March 2023.

“We have two proceedings (in progress) at the same time,” said the defendant’s lawyer, Roberto de Vita, which he described as “unprecedented.”

Italy’s highest appeals court is expected to finally decide which of the two convictions will be applied to his client’s case, he clarified.

Military prosecutors, who called for the officer to be sentenced to life in prison, pointed out that the 19 documents that Walter Biot had photographed with his mobile phone were classified as “NATO confidential” including one “top secret”, according to the ANSA news agency. .

After his arrest, his wife told the Italian press that the officer needed money, as his salary (€3,000 a month) was not enough to cover the needs of his four children, one of whom has special needs. and his four dogs.

“He is not stupid, nor irresponsible. He was just desperate,” he had argued.