In the period following his recruitment by the Russian intelligence services, the Greek businessman has been doing business with the Greek military and security forces, developing partnerships with major university institutions and institutions such as the Athens Observatory.

Nikos Bogonikolos was arrested on May 9 in Paris after years of investigation by the FBI. It is accused that since 2018 he has been involved in a network of companies controlled by the SVR (Russian EYP), which operated as “showcases”. He purchased dual-use products from the United States (their movement is subject to restrictions), which he exported to Russia, often with forged documents and declarations.

His activities abroad are detailed in a 21-page US arrest warrant that has been officially released. Accordingly, “K” today is trying to shed light on the activities of the persecuted businessman within the borders.

Nikos Bogonikoulos’ contacts with officials of the Ministry of National Defense began in the period 2017-2018 and, according to a senior ministry official, concerned the development of certain research programs. Although he appeared as the preferred interlocutor of a major German defense industry and a Greek businessman who handles projects for the Armed Forces, among others, the same source said discussions remain at an early stage.

Contracts

However, conclusions drawn from publicly available documents differ. And all because the company of the persecuted businessman allegedly signed a contract in 2020 to install a secure remote work system in Hellenic Defense Systems, and in 2019 signed a contract with the Air Force, and specifically with the Larisa Public Military Fund, which is headquartered at the Tactical Headquarters aviation. In addition, from the information brought to the attention of “K”, it follows that in 2019 he submitted a statement of interest in the competition of the Order of Communications and Informatics GHETHA.

At the same time that Nikos Bogonikolos was acting, according to the US, on behalf of the Russian intelligence services, he managed to conclude a contract with the Ministry of Citizens’ Protection. In particular, in 2020, the Main Police Department signed an agreement with a company of interest to it for the purchase of 3,750 body armor. It was part of a larger EU-funded commission that was released following the March 2020 Evros migration crisis. This commission, with a total budget of about 2.5 million euros, was created with a call for “dangerous national security of the country as a result of Turkey’s behavior”.

It is alleged that the accused businessman has entered into contracts as a supplier with Hellenic Defense Systems, the Air Force and the Greek Armed Forces. and Coast Guard.

As a result, four companies participated in the project, and although the contract was brought to the attention of the Accounts Chamber, there was no shortage of votes in the process for the “entry through the window” of the Bogonikulu company. In 2020, he also signed a commercial agreement with the Coast Guard to provide computers for the Merchant Marine Training Center.

The commercial activities of the businessman are known to the competent Greek services, whose officials, however, see economic rather than military-political motives in his actions. In addition, through his companies, he managed to develop legal commercial activities not only in Greece, but also in foreign countries, mainly in the Netherlands.

In the 2014 European elections, Bogonikolos, who is in custody in Paris awaiting extradition to the United States, was a candidate for the National Front party, and some sources say he also maintained links with Golden Dawn officials. Official U.S. court documents state that he studied at Kharkiv University in Ukraine, and there is an October 2017 correspondence between Russian officials in which they discuss Bogonikolos’ eligibility for military service on the grounds that “his support for Orthodoxy is the foundation of his friendship.” with Russia.” .

Russian network Sernia

His contact and recruitment, at least as described in the indictment, was undertaken by two Russian nationals involved in the U.S.-controlled Sernia network. FBI arrest warrants are pending for them.

The first contact was established at the end of 2017, and at the end of December 2017, the Greek defendant traveled to Moscow for secret negotiations. In fact, the US Department of Justice included in official court documents a photograph of him in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. In the subsequent period, he is accused of supplying limited dual-use materials such as antennas, transponders, etc. from companies in Florida, California and Minnesota through his companies, which he then transferred to the Russian Sernia network. The New York Attorney’s Office accuses him of defrauding American business and authorities by impersonating his companies as end users – recipients of prohibited materials. In this way, he helped Russia acquire modern weapons in circumvention of sanctions against it.

“I sign that the goods are only for the Netherlands. This is a delicate matter, ”he wrote in a November 2019 message to an employee of the Sernia network, explaining to him that his company in the Netherlands, and not Russia, would be indicated in the accompanying documents as the recipient of the materials. The message was intercepted and included in the case file against him, which he will be asked to refute in the coming period before the US authorities.