David Smith: Video shows the moment a spy for Russia filmed CCTV footage at the British embassy in Berlin

Footage shows security guard David Ballantyne Smith fiming at the British embassy in Berlin.
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Footage captured as part of a sting operation shows a security guard who spied for Russia filming CCTV at the British embassy in Berlin,

David Ballantyne Smith, 58, a former security guard, was sentenced on Friday (February 17) at the Old Bailey to 13 years and two months in prison.

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In November he pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Official Secrets Act by committing an act prejudicial to the safety or interests of the state.

The Met Police has released footage captured during the operation that brought the spy to justice.

At the sentencing, legal arguments were made about Smith’s motivation for passing secret information to Russia.

The court heard he supported for Russian president Vladimir Putin and was motivated by a hatred of the UK when he began collecting classified documents in 2018.

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He sent two letters to the Russian embassy in 2020, exposing the identity of a diplomat who had worked in Russia and as well as details of colleagues.

The court heard of “potentially catastrophic” consequences for British officials in Berlin, with the cost to the taxpayer of updating security estimated at £820,000.

Smith had earlier argued he did not intend to cause “prejudice” to the UK, and wanted only to cause “inconvenience and embarrassment” to the embassy.

He cited mental health issues and said he was not paid for providing information.

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But Justice Wall ruled that evidence showed Smith was paid by Russia.

Smith’s activities were revealed in an undercover operation, after Smith sent a letter to the Russian embassy in 2020.

Metropolitan Police

Commander Richard Smith, who leads the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Smith exploited his privileged position at the British Embassy in Berlin, in order to pass highly sensitive information to the Russian state.

“His activities put those working at the Embassy and the security of the wider UK at significant risk.

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“However, he was identified and stopped following a carefully planned operation and investigation involving our counter terrorism officers, colleagues from the Security Services, and counterparts from the German police.

“This investigation shows how the UK will work closely with our allies to identify and bring to justice anyone who seeks to undermine, or poses a threat to our national security.”

David Ballantyne SmithDavid Ballantyne Smith
David Ballantyne Smith

The investigation

The investigation into Smith involved a two-part covert operation with members of the UK security services.

In one element of the operation, carried out on August 5, 2021, Smith gathered information and recorded CCTV footage of a man called “Dmitry”, whom he believed was a Russian defector providing information to the UK. He was, in fact, a role player and a covert camera in the security kiosk at the Embassy caught Smith recording CCTV footage of this person on his phone. Smith retained packaging that related to a SIM card given to ‘Dmitry’.

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The second role player called ‘Irina’ met Smith on August 9, 2021 at a tram stop near his home. She posed as a member of the Russian intelligence agency the GRU. Smith arranged to meet her again the following day. However, this meeting did not take place as Smith was arrested on 10 August.

David Smith arrested

Following his arrest, searches of Smith’s address and devices unearthed photos of sensitive files, some marked “secret”.

On his phone, officers found a video he had taken of embassy CCTV footage; a video giving a tour of the British Embassy; and images of documents containing names and other sensitive information.

Police found €800 in cash at Smith’s address and when officers conducted checks on his finances, they identified that from early 2021 withdrawals from his accounts reduced significantly – suggesting he was receiving another source of income, most likely linked to receiving payment for information he was providing to the Russians.

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Although Smith denied this, and said he raised the cash by selling military memorabilia at flea markets in Berlin, the explanation was rejected by the judge after a Newton Hearing, determining Smith was most likely being paid by the Russians.

After his arrest, detectives worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and Smith was extradited on April 6, 2022. On his arrival back into the UK he was arrested by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.

He was charged with nine offences under the Official Secrets Act 1911, and pleaded guilty to eight of these counts.