"Frightening picture"

BVT espionage affair: Security Council called in

The National Security Council, which is organized by the Federal Chancellery, is now to take action.

(Bild: APA/HERBERT NEUBAUER)

The arrest of former constitutional protection officer Egisto Ott, who is alleged to have procured information for Russia, is also making waves in domestic politics. The Greens have now called in the National Security Council, they announced on Friday. The NEOS are calling for a further meeting of the Intelligence Committee in parliament, which is to be dedicated to the topic of "Russian espionage and political influence".

The Greens demanded that the National Security Council be convened due to the current events surrounding the Marsalek case and the disclosure of smartphones belonging to three former top officials from the Ministry of the Interior to Russian intelligence services. This must be initiated by the Federal Chancellor; the request of a parliamentary group is sufficient.

Maurer: "FPÖ has been working for Russia for years"
"The piecemeal uncovering of Russia's networks to Austria paints a frightening picture," explained Green Party mandatary David Stögmüller. The findings of the committee of inquiry into the "red-blue abuse of power" also clearly showed how political parties are apparently the extended arm of the Kremlin and work for Russia. Klubobobfrau Sigrid Maurer was more specific: "The Strache and Kickl FPÖ have not been working for Austria for years, but in reality for Russia and its unscrupulous dictator. This is a dangerous threat to our country."

The suspect Egisto Ott is shown in this article:

NEOS: Spying "must finally come to an end"
NEOS security spokesperson Stephanie Krisper also insisted on clarification: "It is high time that the ÖVP and the Greens took more decisive action against espionage on Austrian soil. Spies have the perception that they can operate unchallenged in Austria. This must finally come to an end."

Contents of top officials' cell phones passed on
Ott was arrested in Carinthia on Friday, the public prosecutor's office announced. He is being investigated by the Vienna prosecution authority for abuse of office and secret intelligence to the detriment of Austria. As the "Standard" reported, he is said to have handed over the cell phone contents of top officials to Russian spies. The handcuffs also clicked for his ex-son-in-law, who is suspected of being a contributory offender. The latter was arrested in Vienna. Neither of them offered any resistance, it was reported

Cell phone data stolen after canoe accident
In the case of the stolen cell phone data, the devices are those of Michael Kloibmüller, who was head of cabinet in the Ministry of the Interior for many years; Michael Takacs, now Federal Police Director; and Gernot Maier, Director of the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum. The three cell phones were the victims of an accident in 2017: A canoe had capsized during an excursion by the Ministry of the Interior and the smartphones fell into the water. As a result, an IT technician from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution was asked to repair the official cell phones. He apparently made copies of the devices and passed them on to Ott and others.

Following the arrest order issued by the public prosecutor's office, former BVT employee Ott is now being questioned, as confirmed by authority spokeswoman Bussek. It remains to be seen whether an application will be made for pre-trial detention. The public prosecutor's office has 48 hours - i.e. until Easter Sunday - to do so.