A former Polish government employee has been charged with espionage for Russia, according to news reports.

The man, identified only as Marek W. under Polish privacy laws, has been charged with participation in the activities of Russia’s GRU military intelligence service, Poland’s PAP news agency reported on Thursday, citing the National Public Prosecutor's Office.

The man was formerly employed at the Polish Ministry of the Economy, PAP reported, adding that prosecutors have accused him of passing on information to the Russians from 2014 to 2016.

Such a crime is punishable by one to 10 years in prison, PAP reported.

A district court in Warsaw is expected to hear the case.

According to Poland's niezalezna.pl website, the man was detained by law enforcers on March 23 on suspiction of providing sensitive information about Polish investment projects to Russian secret service officers.

(gs/pk)

Source: PAP, niezalezna.pl