We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
Former Austrian intelligence officer Egisto Ott faces trial for allegedly selling state secrets to Russia for KSh 12.8 million, orchestrated by fugitive Jan Marsalek.

It reads like a John le Carré novel, but the stakes are terrifyingly real. Egisto Ott, a former Austrian intelligence chief, is facing judges in Vienna, accused of selling his country’s deepest secrets to Russia for a payout of €80,000 (approx. KSh 12.8 million).
The trial, which began on Thursday, has exposed the underbelly of European espionage. Prosecutors allege that Ott, 63, systematically dismantled Austria’s intelligence firewall, handing over classified data to Russian operatives. At the center of the web is Jan Marsalek, the fugitive former executive of the collapsed payment firm Wirecard, who is believed to be pulling the strings from Moscow.
The prosecution painted a picture not of an ideological defector, but of a desperate man driven by greed and professional frustration. "He was not romantic about Russia," the prosecutor told the court. "He was broke, angry, and he sold us out."
Ott is accused of using his position to look up the locations and travel details of Russian dissidents and handing them over to the FSB. In one chilling instance, he allegedly tracked down a target who was later assassinated in Berlin.
The trial is a stark reminder of the reach of Russian intelligence in Europe. For the intelligence community, the breach is catastrophic. "If they can turn a spy chief in Vienna, they can turn anyone," noted a security analyst.
As the details of the KSh 12.8 million payoff emerge, the question is no longer just about one man’s guilt, but about how easily national security can be bought in the 21st century.
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Sign in to start a discussion
Start a conversation about this story and keep it linked here.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 9 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 9 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 9 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 9 months ago