TIRANA, Aug 20 (Portal) – Albania’s Defense Ministry said on Saturday two of its soldiers were injured trying to stop two Russians and a Ukrainian who were trying to enter a military facility in central Albania.
“Three citizens with Russian and Ukrainian passports tried to enter the factory,” the ministry said.
“The officers guarding the facility responded immediately, but two of our soldiers were injured during their efforts to stop the three foreign nationals,” the ministry said, adding that the condition of the soldiers is stable.
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The ministry said the three foreigners were arrested. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said the three were “suspected of espionage”.
The Defense Ministry said one of those arrested, identified only as Russian citizen MZ, 24, entered the area of the Gramsh plant and attempted to take photos.
The ministry said the man used some type of spray against soldiers as he tried to escape after being stopped by guards.
Two other people, a Russian identified as ST, 33, and a Ukrainian, FA, 25, were also arrested nearby.
Many Russian and Ukrainian tourists visit Albania during the summer holidays. The Gramsh military base is more than 70 kilometers from the beaches.
During its time under communist rule, Gramsh was used to make the Russian type of AK-49 rifle.
According to the ministry’s website, the plant now provides manufacturing services to the defense industry. It did not provide any further details.
Albania has been a NATO member since 2009.
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Reporting by Florion Goga, writing by Fatos Bytyci, editing by Chris Reese
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