“Three citizens with Russian and Ukrainian passports tried to enter the factory,” the ministry said.
“Officers guarding the factory reacted immediately, but in their efforts to stop the three foreign nationals, two of our soldiers were injured,” the ministry said, adding that the soldiers are in stable condition.
Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register The ministry said the three foreign nationals were arrested. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the three men were “suspected of espionage”. The defense ministry said one of those arrested, identified only as Russian national MZ, 24, entered the factory grounds in Gramsh and was trying to take pictures. The ministry said the man used a type of spray against soldiers while trying to escape after being stopped by guards. Two others, a Russian woman identified as ST, 33, and a Ukrainian FA, 25, were also arrested in the area. Many Russian and Ukrainian tourists visit Albania during the summer holidays. The Grams military base is more than 70 kilometers from the beaches. During the period under communist rule, Gramsh was used to produce the Russian-style AK-49 rifle. According to the ministry’s website, the plant now provides manufacturing services for the defense industry. He did not provide further details. Albania has been a member of NATO since 2009. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Reporting by Florion Goga, writing by Fatos Bytyci, editing by Chris Reese Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
