A BRITISH Embassy security guard yesterday denied copying secret documents and spying on colleagues for Russia.
David Smith was working in Berlin when he tried to give details to a Moscow military attache, a court heard.
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He was arrested at home in Potsdam, Germany, and extradited to London on Wednesday where he faced nine charges under the Official Secrets Act.
Westminster magistrates’ court was told Smith, 57, had “attempted to communicate” with Russian Embassy General Major Sergey Chukhurov.
He is accused of trying to send a letter with “details about the activities, identities, addresses and phone numbers of various members of Her Majesty’s civil service”.
Smith also allegedly collected secret material, including unauthorised copies of documents, SIM card packaging and CCTV footage.
He was said to have been approached on August 9 last year “by a person you believed to be a member of Russian Military Intelligence (the GRU)”, when he allegedly “communicated information, namely about the building repairs to the British Embassy, Berlin”.
Prosecutor Louise Gray told the 15-minute hearing: “There are nine counts which all carry a maximum of 14 years custody.”
Smith denies the charges. He was remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.
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