The cruel need exploited by the Russians in the spy scandal in Italy

The Italian naval captain arrested this week in Rome for selling confidential documents to a Russian official was “desperate” for moneyhis wife said in a newspaper interview published Thursday.

The arrested Italian officer is called Walter Biot, He was part of the general staff and therefore had access to classified and reserved documents, including those of the NATO. His arrest Tuesday evening in a parking lot triggered a diplomatic fight between Italy and Russia.

Italy swiftly expelled two Russian officials on Wednesday, while the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio, summoned the Russian ambassador Sergey razov lodge a formal protest.

Walter Biot has a family of four children. One of them has a severe disability

“My husband did not want Shit the country. He gave the Russians the least he could offer. Nothing very compromising. Because it’s not stupid, irresponsible. Biot’s wife said: Claudia Carbonara, Daily The Corriere della Sera. “I was just desperate. Desperate for our future and that of our children ”.

Biot salary of 3000 euros per month (3,500 USD) was insufficient to support his family of four, one of them with severe disability, and four dogsCarbonara told the newspaper.

Nail Mortgage of 1200 euros, children’s school fees and activity rates have pushed up A 30-year-old navy veteran will hand over secret documents to Russia in exchange for 5,000 euros, said the woman.

A figure that many find too low for someone like Biot to risk his career.

“Thanks to Covid, we have become impoverished”, explained Carbonara, a sex therapist. “We live for children, we have always made many sacrifices for them. Without vices, without luxury, without attentions, only the daily life which, however, in the long run makes you feel its weight ”, declared the woman, adding that her husband had not discussed with her in advance what he was planning to do.

If found guilty Biot faces a sentence of 20 years in prison.

“For us, Walter was the friend you never doubt”

“THEY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THEIR WEAKNESSES”

Since 2015, Biot, 56, has worked in the office of the Chief of the Defense Staff. This accused of taking photos of secret documents on his computer screen and transfer the files to a USB key, that the police confiscated.

The exchange with the Russian army took place in a parking lot in the Italian capital, according to local media.

“The Russians must have penetrated very well into their weaknesses, into Walter’s personal problems”a colleague from Biot on condition of anonymity told Messaging. “His need for money was known”, “We knew he was not financially available”other colleagues told the Italian newspaper.

“For hours, we have been asking ourselves: is this possible?One of the officers said. “It’s like they’re telling you that someone you trust has committed a scandal. For us, Walter was the friend we never doubt. Playful, passionate, his eyes spoke for themselves ”.

“The Russians must have penetrated very well into their weaknesses, into Walter’s personal problems”

According to former colleagues, the man’s main concern was the health of his youngest daughter, who was severely disabled and required expensive medical treatment.

However, Biot’s wife denied that was the motive. “He is a wonderful, loving and omnipresent father. But fortunately, we take care of the little girl, it was not the biggest economic problem to face “, he assured.

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

The arrest of Biot He came after lengthy investigations by the Italian national intelligence agency AISI, with the support of the Chief of the Defense Staff.

On Wednesday, Di Maio told parliament that Russia’s decision was a “An act of hostility which will have consequences.”

A Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday he hoped the incident would not affect “Very positive and constructive nature“Relations between the two countries.

The Russian Embassy in Rome also expressed on Wednesday “Regret” for the expulsion of two members of his military attaché.

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