Former Austrian intelligence official Egisto Ott is currently on trial in Vienna, facing charges of espionage for Russia. The trial has been noted as a significant event within Austria's legal system concerning national security. Ott, 63, has denied the charges against him.
Prosecutors allege that Ott provided information to Russian intelligence officers and Jan Marsalek, a fugitive executive from the collapsed German payments firm Wirecard. Marsalek, also an Austrian citizen, is wanted by German authorities for fraud and is believed to be in Moscow, allegedly acting as an intelligence asset for Russia's FSB security service.
The accusations state that between 2015 and 2020, Ott allegedly misused his position as an intelligence official to collect substantial amounts of personal data, including locations, vehicle registration numbers, and travel information. This data was reportedly obtained without authorization, often utilizing national and international police databases. Further charges indicate that between 2017 and 2021, Ott allegedly supported a Russian intelligence service detrimental to Austria by gathering secret facts and extensive personal data from police databases. This information was purportedly given to Marsalek and representatives of the Russian intelligence service in exchange for payment.
In 2022, Ott was allegedly commissioned by Marsalek to acquire a laptop containing secure electronic security hardware used by EU states for confidential communication. This laptop was then reportedly handed over to Russian intelligence. Additionally, Ott is suspected of having transferred phone data belonging to senior Austrian interior ministry officials to Russia. Reports suggest he obtained these work phones after they were accidentally dropped into the River Danube during a ministry boating trip, subsequently copying their contents for Marsalek and Moscow.
Ott faces charges of abuse of authority, corruption, and espionage against Austria. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of up to five years. Upon Ott's arrest in 2024, Austria's then-Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, described the case as a "threat to democracy and our country's national security."