In February 2025, during a NATO planning conference on military robotics at Lisbon Naval Base, a 23-year-old Portuguese citizen stole a computer and iPad from a Swedish naval officer assigned temporarily to NATO. The man used a fake name to check into the hotel hosting NATO personnel and convinced staff to grant room access. After Portuguese police located the stolen devices missing, the suspect tried to sell them to a Russian embassy employee in Lisbon, but was detained. The suspect fabricated a story about belonging to a criminal espionage group involving 11 people including a police inspector. Prosecutors concluded no such network exists and the defendant's claims were intended to mislead. Aside from espionage, he faces charges of aggravated theft, false statements, and possession of child pornography. Two other men assisting in the theft are accused but not charged with espionage.

In February 2025, during a NATO planning conference on military robotics at Lisbon Naval Base, a 23-year-old Portuguese citizen stole a computer and iPad from a Swedish naval officer assigned temporarily to NATO. The man used a fake name to check into the hotel hosting NATO personnel and convinced staff to grant room access. After Portuguese police located the stolen devices missing, the suspect tried to sell them to a Russian embassy employee in Lisbon, but was detained. The suspect fabricated a story about belonging to a criminal espionage group involving 11 people including a police inspector. Prosecutors concluded no such network exists and the defendant's claims were intended to mislead. Aside from espionage, he faces charges of aggravated theft, false statements, and possession of child pornography. Two other men assisting in the theft are accused but not charged with espionage.