A British Embassy security guard has been accused of spying for Russia has been extradited from Berlin back to the UK and has appeared in court on espionage charges.
David Smith, 57, has been accused of spying for Russia and collecting material classified as “secret,” as well as material on the layout and operation of the British Embassy, and CCTV footage.
Smith has been charged with communicating with the Russian military attaché in Berlin, Major General Sergey Chukhorov and is alleged to have passed details of the activities and identities of British civil servants.
Smith appeared in the dock at Westminster Magistrates on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the “nine offences contrary to the Official Secrets Act.”
Nick Price, Head of Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division at the CPS, said, “David Smith has been charged with nine offences contrary to the Official Secrets Act.
“He is accused of seven offences of collecting information with the intent of sending it to the Russian authorities, one of attempting communication and one of providing information to a person he believed was a member of the Russian authorities.
“After reviewing the case and authorising charges, we obtained an extradition warrant and worked closely with our German counterparts in order to bring Mr Smith back to the UK.”
Smith will appear at the Old Bailey in central London on 13 April for his first crown court hearing and will remain in custody.
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