The Guardian: Russian spies detained in Slovenia allegedly worked for Russia’s foreign intelligence

“Maria Mayer” and “Ludwig Gisch,” two suspects arrested in Slovenia and accused of spying for Russia in January, allegedly worked for Russia’s foreign intelligence service (SVR), the Guardian reported, citing anonymous sources.

According to the report, both are Russian citizens and were elite Russian spies.

Security services around the European Union have cracked down on alleged Russian spies performing in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Western countries have expelled hundreds of people working across Europe under diplomatic cover.

According to the report, in informal conversations after the arrests of “Mayer” and “Gisch,” Russia quickly admitted that the two arrested in Slovenia were intelligence officers.

The sources said that Russian and Western countries are discussing exchanging them for a person or people currently in custody in Russia.

“Gisch” reportedly used an Argentinian passport. On March 21, Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon told reporters that the arrested couple were Russian citizens rather than Argentinians.

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