The names of colleagues in service sold to Moscow, the secrets on weapons made in Italy: the rantings of the former 007 who complained about the money The video

An Italian former intelligence officer has been placed under house arrest following allegations that he passed sensitive information about military systems and active agents to Russian officials. Gavino Raoul Piras, once part of the country’s counterintelligence apparatus, was arrested by the Carabinieri's Ros unit on suspicion of selling classified data regarding arms technology and personnel currently in service. The investigation into his activities has revealed extensive interactions between Piras and Russian operatives, raising serious concerns over national security and the integrity of Italy's intelligence community. Piras, who previously served in the armed forces before transitioning to intelligence work, is accused of providing detailed insights into advanced missile defense systems developed jointly by Italy, France, and Denmark. These systems, known as Sampt, were reportedly set to become operational soon, according to intercepted communications. Additionally, Piras allegedly disclosed information about Italy's growing interest in the Russian T-90 Vladimir tank, warning his contact about potential risks of technology theft. He also shared details about a snowmobile designed for Ukrainian defense operations, a pilotless submarine tested near La Spezia, and other sophisticated weaponry such as the Grifo and Aster systems. Furthermore, he reportedly informed Moscow about the delivery of three weapon systems to Kyiv and the deployment of the Michelangelo Dome defensive system to Bulgaria. The investigation also uncovered troubling revelations about the internal workings of Italy's counterintelligence efforts against Russia. According to court documents, Piras allegedly provided names, photographs, and other identifying details of Italian intelligence officers engaged in counterintelligence operations. This included a female Aise employee tasked with monitoring Russian agent Mikhail Astakhov. Piras even suggested implementing a counter-surveillance strategy against Astakhov, which could have compromised ongoing investigations. His actions reportedly undermined an existing surveillance operation targeting Astakhov, potentially allowing him to evade detection. Beyond military secrets, Piras is said to have shared politically sensitive information with Russian contacts. Interceptions suggest he boasted about having access to numerous political intelligence reports, ranging from anti-terrorism strategies to operational biosafety protocols. He also discussed assessments requested by Russian authorities regarding the effectiveness of attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Moreover, he reassured Moscow that Italian intelligence had no involvement in explosions on Russian oil platforms, attributing them to British services. On the topic of the Vatican, Piras claimed to have acted independently without compensation, referring to his actions as serving a “common cause.” He mentioned making a donation to Pope Francis after being instructed by a general to proceed with matters concerning the Vatican. Gavino Raoul Piras, a 59-year-old native of Sardinia, has a long history within the Italian intelligence community. Before joining the services, he served in the military. His alleged misconduct comes amid previous investigations dating back to 2023, when he was probed for espionage but the case was eventually dismissed following the expulsion of a suspected Russian recruiter, Colonel Damir Kurmashov. However, this latest inquiry has uncovered evidence linking him to another Russian operative, Mikhail Astakhov, leading to more comprehensive scrutiny by the Aisi, Italy’s intelligence agency. The judge overseeing the case described Piras' behavior as alarmingly repetitive and indicative of someone unable to grasp the seriousness of their actions. The implications of these disclosures extend beyond mere breaches of confidentiality. They raise questions about how such sensitive information could have been accessed and transmitted, particularly given the high level of security typically surrounding intelligence operations. The involvement of multiple agencies, including the Carabinieri's Ros unit and the Aisi, underscores the gravity of the situation. As the legal proceedings unfold, further details about the extent of Piras' cooperation with Russian interests and the potential impact on international relations will likely emerge. The case highlights vulnerabilities in intelligence networks and the need for stricter safeguards to prevent similar incidents in the future.