The Slovenian police confirmed that they had arrested two people on suspicion of espionage in December, but did not reveal which country they allegedly worked for.

“They are suspected of being members of a foreign intelligence service,” said police spokesman Drago Menegalija.

Both of them “lived and did business in Slovenia with illegally obtained foreign personal documents and false identities and carried out covert intelligence activities for the benefit of foreign intelligence services,” added Menegalija.

According to media reports, the two individuals were arrested on December 5 and remain in custody while prosecutors continue their investigation into the espionage allegations.

The police announced that they acted in cooperation with the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency and on the basis of instructions from the District Prosecutor’s Office in Ljubljana.

By detaining the suspects, “harmful consequences for the country’s national security, its political, economic and security interests, as well as international security are prevented,” Menegalija said.

Former ambassador Andrej Benedejčič, who now deals with issues of national security in the cabinet of the Slovenian Prime Minister, estimated that if the official procedures confirm the true intentions of the suspects, their detention will be the greatest success of the Slovenian state intelligence agency.

If found guilty, the two suspects face up to eight years in prison.

According to Dela, the suspects are said to be using a rented office in Ljubljana for their activities.

The two suspects were also active abroad, and one of the two is reported to have Argentine citizenship. According to the 24ur portal, the suspects are a married couple whose children went to school in Slovenia.

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