Walter Biot, who worked in the office of the Chief of the Defence Staff, was placed in custody after police caught him allegedly passing confidential documents to a Russian military officer in return for 5,000 euros ($5,930).

According to Guerini, the captain had access to "classified documents" but was not senior enough to have detailed information on military operations.

He could see documents and assessments on military policy but not material concerning "the management of operations, or details on national and NATO capabilities", the minister said during a hearing before the joint defence committees of the two houses of parliament.

Last week, Italian media cited a court document indicating that police found 181 pictures of confidential documents on the memory card that the captain was seen handing over to his Russian contact.

Following his arrest, Italy summoned the Russian ambassador and expelled two officials from the Russian embassy's military attache office.

Biot's wife, Claudia Carbonara, told the Corriere della Sera newspaper that her husband was "desperate" for money as his 3,000-euro monthly salary was not enough to support his family of four children.

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RCS MEDIAGROUP