An Albanian court today ordered the arrest of two Russians and a Ukrainian suspected of espionage who were arrested on Saturday as they tried to break into a weapons factory, injuring two soldiers.

“The opinion of the court is that they should remain at the disposal of justice until the investigation is completed,” Patime Fetahu, chairman of the Elbasan court, said after a closed hearing. The judge added that the three defendants were allegedly trying to gain access to “military or other information” for transmission to a “foreign power”.

If they stand trial and their guilt is proven, they face up to 10 years in prison. They deny all charges and ask to be released, their lawyers said.

According to Defense Minister Nico Pelesi, one of the suspects attacked the guards, who took him by surprise while taking pictures at the Grams plant dismantling unused weapons. The minister said while visiting two wounded soldiers in the hospital that “in an attempt to get out of control, one of the Russians, MZ, 24, used a nerve agent spray against the guards.”

The soldiers were wounded in the eyes.

The 24-year-old was arrested along with another Russian, S.T., aged 33, and a 25-year-old Ukrainian, F.A., who were waiting for him in a car near the plant.

The military police, counter-terrorism service and intelligence were mobilized to investigate the incident.

Albania has been a NATO member since 2009.

AFP