Former Austrian security officers connected to ex-Wirecard executive Marsalek arrested for spying for Russia, sparking a major espionage scandal.

An espionage scandal has engulfed Austria involving former officials of the country's dissolved Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism (BVT) and Jan Marsalek, ex-board member of German firm Wirecard. Egisto O., a former Austrian security officer, has been detained on suspicion of spying for Russia, reportedly passing sensitive information about regime opponents and journalists to Moscow. The case highlights deep infiltration of Austrian security agencies by Russian intelligence, with at least two officials allegedly providing information to Russia for years. Following a controversial 2018 raid on BVT offices linked to these officials and resulting loss of foreign intelligence trust, the agency was disbanded. This scandal occurs ahead of Austria's national elections, raising questions about political accountability especially relating to the far-right FPÖ party led by former Interior Minister Herbert Kickl. Multiple investigations with roughly 30 suspects are underway, and a parliamentary inquiry may be launched after the election.