Former intelligence official Egisto Ott went on trial in Vienna on Thursday, accused of spying for Russia in what has been described as Austria's biggest spy trial in years. Ott, 63, is charged with abusing his authority as an Austrian intelligence official by collecting large amounts of personal data and handing over information to Russian intelligence officers and to Jan Marsalek, the fugitive executive of collapsed German payments firm Wirecard, according to prosecutors in Vienna. Ott denies the charges.

The case has revived fears that Austria remains a hotbed of Russian espionage activity. Observers are also closely watching for details that could emerge about Marsalek.

Marsalek, who is also an Austrian citizen, is wanted by German police for alleged fraud and is currently believed to be in Moscow, having fled via Austria in 2020. He is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice and is alleged to be an intelligence asset for the FSB, Russia's secretive security service.

The trial is expected to shed light on the extent of the alleged espionage and the potential damage it caused to Austria's national security. Further details regarding the evidence against Ott and the potential implications of the case are expected to emerge as the trial progresses.