China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) recently disclosed cases of foreign intelligence operatives infiltrating professional online groups by posing as industry experts or investment advisers. These operatives aimed to extract sensitive information, including key technical data and internal policymaking details, highlighting an evolving landscape of online espionage threats.
Iran's judiciary announced the execution of Hamidreza Sabet Esmailipour on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. He was convicted of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel's Mossad, including transferring classified documents and providing logistical support for alleged sabotage operations. Esmailipour was arrested on April 29, 2025, and his death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court.
Germany is drafting extensive legislation to grant its Federal Intelligence Service (BND) significantly expanded surveillance and hacking authorities. The proposed changes aim to reduce reliance on U.S. intelligence and include powers for full-content communication interception, data retention, offensive cyber operations against foreign tech firms, and the use of 'federal trojans'.
A Russian defense industry engineer, Mikhail Vzvodnov, has been sentenced to 13 years in a maximum-security penal colony for treason in the form of espionage. He was found guilty of collecting military-technical information for Sweden's Military Intelligence and Security Service (MUST), with operatives allegedly acting partly in Ukraine's interest. The verdict was upheld by a St. Petersburg appellate court.
Iran's judiciary has announced that an unnamed Iranian-Swedish dual national has been tried for allegedly spying for Israel during the recent 12-day war in June 2025. The defendant, reportedly recruited by Israeli intelligence in 2023, faces charges after electronic surveillance equipment was discovered, and a verdict is expected soon.
A high-profile trial has begun at the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, involving three men accused of spying for Russia. The defendants, identified as Vardges I., Robert A., and Arman S., allegedly plotted to assassinate a former Ukrainian soldier on behalf of Russian intelligence services. They were arrested in June 2024 after the target alerted police.
The White House has stated it was unaware of a meeting between US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, which reportedly took place in July at the US Embassy in Jerusalem. The undisclosed encounter has raised concerns among US officials and the CIA, despite the White House affirming support for its ambassador.
The White House was reportedly unaware that US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with convicted spy Jonathan Pollard at the US Embassy in Jerusalem in July. The unannounced meeting, which surprised American officials and the CIA, involved Pollard thanking Huckabee for past advocacy. President Trump has expressed support for his ambassador.
MI5 has issued a stark warning to British lawmakers and the public regarding relentless espionage attempts by Chinese intelligence, primarily through online platforms like LinkedIn. The alert details tactics including fake recruiter profiles used to target individuals with access to sensitive information.
Serbia's Security Information Agency (BIA) is set to receive a budget of nearly 89 million euros for 2026, marking a significant increase. This comes amidst reported intelligence failures in Kosovo and a rise in espionage-related arrests, with a focus on enhancing technological and operational capacities.
Latvia's State Security Service, in cooperation with military intelligence, announced the arrest of a Latvian citizen suspected of collecting sensitive defense information for Russia's GRU. The individual allegedly gathered details on aviation infrastructure, NATO forces, and defense matters, underscoring heightened regional tensions.
Iran has executed an unnamed individual in Qom Prison, convicted of espionage for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The execution, carried out on Saturday, October 18, 2025, followed charges of 'waging war against God' and 'corruption on earth'. Iranian authorities stated the individual confessed to contacting Israeli intelligence since October 2023.
A 28-year-old former security guard at the US Embassy in Oslo, Norway, has been convicted and sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for spying for Russia and Iran. The man, whose name has not been released, shared sensitive information including embassy floor plans and diplomat details.
An Estonian court has sentenced active-duty soldier Ivan Dmitriev to four years and eleven months in prison for espionage and sanctions breaches. Dmitriev was found to have collaborated with Russia's FSB, providing intelligence on Estonia's Defense League and military activities.
Polish authorities have formally charged Tomasz L., a former employee of the Warsaw city council's civil registry, with espionage and abuse of power. He is accused of providing Russian intelligence with sensitive civil records from 2017 to 2022, enabling the creation of fake identities for spies. His arrest in March 2022 reportedly led to the expulsion of 45 Russian diplomats.
A German court has sentenced Jian Guo, a former aide to far-right AfD politician Maximilian Krah, to four years and nine months in prison for spying for China. Guo was found guilty of passing sensitive information from the European Parliament and monitoring Chinese dissidents.
Iran has executed Bahman Choobiasl, a man accused of spying for Israel's Mossad intelligence service. His execution on Monday, September 29, 2025, is part of a significant increase in capital punishments in the country, with human rights groups reporting over 1,000 executions in 2025.
Two Romanian citizens, aged 22 and 52, were arrested on Monday afternoon near the Salamis Naval Base in Greece on suspicion of espionage. They were caught photographing the strategic military installation from a tourist boat, leading to charges under Article 148 of the Penal Code.
Austrian energy giant OMV has terminated an executive's contract over alleged spying for Russia. The executive reportedly shared sensitive information regarding a $60 billion merger. Austria's Foreign Ministry summoned a Russian diplomat, demanding a waiver of immunity, or face expulsion.
British counter-terrorism police have arrested two men and one woman in Essex on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, believed to be Russia. The arrests come as officials warn of a significant increase in foreign intelligence recruitment and proxy operations targeting the UK.
