Canadian Naval Officer Charged of Espionage for Russia

18.01.2012 Officer of Royal Canadian Navy earlier arrested in Halifax is charged of espionage for Russia, reports CTV News.

According to Canadian reporters, 40-year old Jeffrey Paul Delisle faced trial on Monday Jan 16 on two charges related to violation of information security acts.

In particular, the officer is incriminated in illegal passing on secret documents to a foreign state since July 2007. According to CTV News, this state is Russia. Delisle was caught last week.

He was intelligence officer at Canadian Forces Base Halifax in Trinity section responsible for coordination between Canadian Navy's warships and NATO allies. Since the base has multinational status, Delisle had access to information dealing with ship movements and data about Canada's allies.

According to a source of CTV News, Canada is Russia's target of active espionage. "Russian espionage in this country is as extensive and aggressive as it was during the Cold War", said the TV channel's interviewee.

Canadian police commissioner Bob Paulson said that despite the seriousness of the situation, the data leak had no threat to public safety. Nevertheless, there have been no official statements on Delisle's arrest so far. As for CTV, due to high sensitivity of the case, legal proceedings are under a publication ban. All examinations of witnesses will be held behind closed doors.

Next hearing of the Delisle's case was set on Tuesday, Jan 17. Once found guilty, he would be subject to life sentence.

Russia has not reacted on the CTV report so far.