Scots spy in Berlin who passed secrets to Russia is jailed for 13 years
dailyrecord.co.ukA Scots spy in Berlin who sold secrets to Russia has been jailed for more than 13 years for betraying his country and colleagues.David Smith, 58, was motivated by his support for Russian president Vladimir Putin and hatred of the UK when he began collecting classified documents in 2018.
Smith, who was a former security guard at the British Embassy in Germany, sent two letters to senior officials at the Russian Embassy in 2020, with one exposing the identity of a diplomat who had worked in Russia – referred to as X – as well as details of colleagues.After Smith’s second letter to a military attache at the Russian Embassy in November 2020 was traced back to him, police launched an investigation.
Two role players were deployed as a fake Russian defector and intelligence officer in an undercover sting operation in August 2021.Following his arrest, police found Smith’s stash of sensitive and secret documents, including correspondence to then Prime Minister Boris Johnson from ministers.
Smith, 58, pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Official Secrets Act by committing an act prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state.The court was told of “potentially catastrophic” consequences for “each and every” British official in Berlin, with the cost to the taxpayer of updating security estimated at £820,000.
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