4 Chinese nationals held for photographing Rafale jets at Greek airbase
Among those arrested are a woman, two men and a younger individual, all of whom are in police custody, India Today reported.
Security personnel at the HAI reportedly noticed the group taking photos in restricted areas and asked them to leave. However, they continued filming from a nearby bridge, specifically capturing images of the Rafale jets stationed at the Tanagra airbase.
Also Read | What Dassault said after report on CEO's response to Pakistan over Rafale jets
The Hellenic Air Force Police swiftly intervened and detained the group after they ignored repeated warnings. The accused were handed over to local authorities in Tanagra, located northeast of Athens.
As per initial information, a large cache of photographic material is now under forensic review. Greek security agencies are probing whether the incident was part of a larger intelligence-gathering operation.
According to French military intelligence, the Rafale jet, which is already in use by nations like Egypt, Greece, India, and the United Arab Emirates, has been the focus of a global Chinese disinformation campaign at the time of this arrest.
Also Read | How China targeted Rafale reputation after Operation Sindoor: French intel reveals
One of the most sophisticated multirole fighter jets in the world is the Rafale, which was created by Dassault Aviation in France. After the Indian Air Force used it during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan earlier this year, it attracted a lot of attention from around the world.
Chinese embassies allegedly launched a concerted disinformation campaign to disparage Rafale jets, particularly after India deployed them during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism that was responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack, according to an Associated Press report.
The AP report, which cited French military and intelligence officials, claimed that Beijing used its foreign missions to influence existing and potential buyers of the Rafale, urging them to opt for Chinese-made alternatives instead.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- Indian Express
China's Premier Li proposes global AI cooperation organisation
Chinese Premier Li Qiang proposed on Saturday establishing a world artificial intelligence cooperation organisation, calling on countries to coordinate development and security of the fast-evolving technology. Speaking at the opening of the annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Li called AI a new engine for growth but said governance is fragmented and emphasised the need to step up coordination between countries to form a globally recognised framework for AI. The three-day event brings together industry leaders and policymakers at a time of escalating technological competition between China and the U.S., with AI emerging as a key battleground between the world's two largest economies. Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced technology to China, including AI chips and chipmaking equipment, citing concerns the technology could enhance China's military capabilities. Despite these restrictions, China has continued making AI breakthroughs that have drawn close scrutiny from U.S. officials. Li said AI technologies were rapidly evolving but that there were constraints, such as the lack of high-end computing chips and restrictions on talent exchange. He called for breaking through bottlenecks for open and coordinated innovation.
Hindustan Times
11 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Immigration 'killing' Europe, says Donald Trump; calls on nations to 'stop horrible invasion'
US President Donald Trump on Friday said that Europe needs to 'get its act together' in terms of immigration, claiming the continent would not exist 'anymore' if this 'invasion' goes unchecked. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media after he arrived at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire, Scotland, on Friday,(AP) Talking to reporters after landing at Scotland's Prestwick airport in Ayrshire, Trump said that he had a couple of things to say to the leaders and people of Europe, the most pressing issue being immigration. He is in Scotland for a weekend trip, where he will meet UK PM Keir Starmer on Saturday 'There are a couple of things I could say, but on immigration, you've got to get your act together. You won't have Europe anymore,' he said. Donald Trump went on to claim that nobody entered the United States last month. The US president once again derided his predecessor, Joe Biden, for 'allowing' people into the country. 'You know, last month we had nobody entering our country. We shut it down. We took out a lot of bad people that got there when Biden….. Biden was a total stiff when he allowed it to happen. But you're allowing it to happen to your countries. And you've got to stop this horrible invasion……This immigration is killing Europe,' he added. Immigration in Europe While Immigration is one of Donald Trump's biggest campaign promises, it is also a major issue in Europe. In May, UK PM Keir Starmer said the country risked becoming 'an island of strangers' when he unveiled plans for tighter immigration controls in a major speech. Earlier this month, Starmer and Emmanuel Macron announced a reciprocal migrant returns deal that the UK Prime Minister and French President hope will reduce the number of small boat crossings in the English Channel. Italy has also adopted a tough stance on immigration, with Prime Minister Georgia Meloni previously saying that she will not allow the country to become 'Europe's refugee camp'.
The Hindu
11 minutes ago
- The Hindu
PM Modi's 'friendship' with President Trump proving to be hollow: Congress
The Congress on Saturday (July 26, 2025) alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'much-boasted friendship' with U.S. President Donald Trump is now proving to be hollow and cited several overtures the latter recently made to Pakistan. In a post on X, Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh, also alleged that Indian diplomacy was failing in the light of the U.S. partnering with Pakistan. 'The abject failure of Indian diplomacy, especially in the past two months, is revealed most tellingly by four facts. These expose the tall claims made by the Prime Minister and his drum-beaters and cheerleaders,' he said in his post. The abject failure of Indian diplomacy, especially in the past two months, is revealed most tellingly by four facts. These expose the tall claims made by the Prime Minister and his drum-beaters and cheerleaders. 1. Since May 10, 2025, President Trump has claimed 25 times that he… — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 26, 2025 Mr. Ramesh said that since May 10, 2025, Mr. Trump has claimed 25 times that 'he personally intervened to stop Operation Sindoor, threatening India and Pakistan that if they didn't bring the war to a halt, they would not have a trade agreement with the USA.' On June 10, 2025, he claimed, Gen Michael Kurilla, the head of the U.S. Central Command, hailed Pakistan as a phenomenal partner of the U.S. in countering terrorism. On June 18, 2025, Mr. Trump held an unprecedented luncheon meeting with Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in the White House, Ramesh noted. 'Two months earlier, Munir's inflammatory, incendiary, and communally provocative remarks had provided the backdrop to the brutal Pahalgam terror attacks on April 22, 2025,' he said. Just yesterday, the Congress leader claimed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and thanked Pakistan for its partnership in countering terrorism and preserving regional stability. 'The PM's clean chit to China on June 19, 2020, has already cost India heavily. His much-boasted friendship with President Trump is now proving to be hollow,' Mr. Ramesh said in his post.
