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Berlin Embassy spy is ex RAF Airman

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Berlin Embassy spy is ex RAF Airman

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Old 12th Aug 2021, 21:56
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Berlin Embassy spy is ex RAF Airman

Unfortunately behind a paywall

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...-force-airman/

this one isn’t

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...rlin-home.html
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Old 12th Aug 2021, 23:21
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Clearly a mastermind at spycraft !

"A large Russian red, white and blue flag on a pole could be seen today propped up in the corner of Mr Smith's living room with a smaller one on the floor beside a TV."

"Soviet military caps showing hammer and sickle emblems on a red star surrounded by a wreath were also visible from the window."
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Old 13th Aug 2021, 00:05
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Originally Posted by RAFEngO74to09
Clearly a mastermind at spycraft !
"Soviet military caps showing hammer and sickle emblems on a red star surrounded by a wreath were also visible from the window."
These can be bought at many markets and tourist spots all over Berlin, and just a few steps away from the embassy at the Brandenburg Gate. So not very unusual...
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Old 13th Aug 2021, 06:48
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Originally Posted by nomilk
These can be bought at many markets and tourist spots all over Berlin, and just a few steps away from the embassy at the Brandenburg Gate. So not very unusual...
at one time it was popular head gear on harrier winter deployments.
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Old 13th Aug 2021, 07:43
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Doesn't sound like we're talking Kim Philby here..............
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Old 13th Aug 2021, 08:11
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Ex-Corporal employed as a security employee t9 check passes etc. Not part of the embassy staff and with no access to any of their material.

I imagine he would have been able to provide them with items such as telephone dir3ctories and routine material left lying around and gossip. But historically they do seem to be willing to pay for such stuff.
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Old 13th Aug 2021, 08:26
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give MI5 a call ORAC, you seem to have it covered
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Old 13th Aug 2021, 16:22
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The Times Headline was "Spy suspect is ex-RAF Officer .." It appeared that he was an ex junior NCO - possibly a cpl?.
The by line had 4 reporters including "Larisa Brown - Defence Editor".
You might think that she would have learned about military ranks!!

It appears he was a locally-recruited "Security officer" ie he sat at the front desk dealing with visitors.
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Old 13th Aug 2021, 23:17
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Originally Posted by Mr N Nimrod
give MI5 a call ORAC, you seem to have it covered
MI 6 would be appropriate.
Facts, just facts.
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Old 13th Aug 2021, 23:49
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Originally Posted by radar101
The Times Headline was "Spy suspect is ex-RAF Officer .." It appeared that he was an ex junior NCO - possibly a cpl?.
The by line had 4 reporters including "Larisa Brown - Defence Editor".
You might think that she would have learned about military ranks!!.
Last time I checked NCO stood for non-commisioned OFFICER. Different to a comissioned officer, but still called an officer
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 00:24
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Originally Posted by nomilk
These can be bought at many markets and tourist spots all over Berlin, and just a few steps away from the embassy at the Brandenburg Gate. So not very unusual...
Then-teenage daughter came home with a Russian General's cap and greatcoat that she'd bought for not very much..."and for a few more roubles I could have bought the General."
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 07:56
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I have a very nice model Russian Border Post tower made from genuine Russian Army wire sold to me by the Border Guards in 2001 after a traffic stop..............
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 07:57
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Originally Posted by Hydromet
Then-teenage daughter came home with a Russian General's cap and greatcoat that she'd bought for not very much..."and for a few more roubles I could have bought the General."
a young woman of obvious insight1
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 08:41
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Originally Posted by MFC_Fly
Last time I checked NCO stood for non-commisioned OFFICER. Different to a comissioned officer, but still called an officer
Everyone in the military knows what the 'o' stands for, but I never knew one who thought themselves, 'an officer'. We all worked for a living!

CG
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 11:24
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“Berlin Embassy spy is ex RAF Airman”? So under the current new speak he would be an ex Officer and Aviator!
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 11:40
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Sorry my thread title was unfair, I should have gone with the Telegraphs as mine was prejudgement, it should read..

Alleged Berlin spy is a former Royal Air Force airman


I would love to know how the press got hold of photos of inside his property, as that does seem OTT
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 13:06
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I would love to know how the press got hold of photos of inside his property, as that does seem OTT
They get it off people's Facebook, Instagram etc which is all treated as public property if the owner leaves it on the default setting. Obviously, a cunning spy would do this to utilise the old hide in plain sight ploy.
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 20:15
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It’d make my day…

…if it turns out all this was reported and acted on purely because someone saw his possessions and just assumed wrong.

I also have books that Contain specifications and photos of Migs and Sukhois.
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 20:52
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Press reports are that an alert was triggered because he hadn’t withdrawn any cash from his bank account or used his credit card for several months*, triggering questions as to how he was paying his bills. Surveillance was started leading to the arrest.

* Which leads to the question of who and how employees bank accounts and cards are monitored in Germany - and as to whether the Germans alerted the Brits or vice-versa. And of course which data protection laws might or might not have been breached….

Last edited by ORAC; 14th Aug 2021 at 22:11.
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Old 14th Aug 2021, 22:08
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Originally Posted by ORAC
Press reports are that an alert was triggered because he hadn’t withdrawn and cash from his bank account for several months*, triggering questions as to how he was paying his bills. Surveillance was started leading to the arrest.

* Which leads to the question of who and how employees bank accounts and cards are monitored in Germany - and as to whether the Germans alerted the Brits or vice-versa. And of course which data protection laws might or might not have been breached….
I suspect all of the speculation is B@**ks.

Let’s wait for the facts.

TN.
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