The guard admitted to spying for Russia while working at the British embassy in Berlin. David Smith pleaded guilty in a court in London to eight charges based on the State Secrets Act, the BBC reported, News.ro reported.

Prosecutors accuse 58-year-old David Smith of intent to harm the United Kingdom and the embassy, ​​where he worked for eight years. The British man is accused of collecting information about the embassy and disclosing secret documents.

Smith allegedly wanted to live in Russia or Ukraine when he began leaking classified information in May 2020. Prosecutors say the man was driven by a strong hatred of his country and was enraged by the display of the rainbow flag, which symbolizes the LGBT community.

He was arrested in August 2021 and €800 in cash was found at his home in Potsdam, Germany. On the day of his arrest, Smith left work early, complaining of feeling unwell, but was met at home by German police.

A search of his electronic devices revealed videos from the embassy and a draft of a message to the Russian military attache dated May 14, 2020. In the message, he confirmed that he worked at the embassy and wished to remain anonymous, offering a book classified as “officially confidential.” Also found were classified emails and documents, photos of employee clearances and personal information, and posters or billboards from the embassy.

What information did David Smith provide and to whom?

According to the indictment, in 2020 the former security officer gave the military attaché of the Russian Embassy in Berlin, Major General Serhiy Chugurov, information about the addresses, phone numbers and activities of various British officials. He collected information about the work and structure of the embassy, ​​which was supposed to be useful to the enemy, namely the Russian state. Some of these materials were classified as “secret” and related to the activities of the British government and its embassy in Germany.

In November 2021, the United Kingdom made an extradition request on his behalf following an investigation by British counter-terrorism police. In April this year, Smith was extradited to Great Britain.

As a security agent, David Smith did not have access to top-secret embassy material, but the material he admitted to passing on or collecting could have been very useful to the Russians. They could help identify the British undercover agents at the embassy and the liaison agents they met with. Also, details from surveillance cameras could help Russian spies learn how to conduct their own operations against the embassy and collect its secrets. The case could also raise questions about background checks on employees like Smith, who are being recruited on the spot, the BBC reports.

Smith pleaded guilty on November 4 to the formal charges against him. The investigation was initially restricted, but the restrictions were lifted Friday after the district attorney’s office made it clear it would not seek a trial on the new charge. which Smith denied. The former bodyguard faces up to 14 years in prison.