Belarus’ State Security Committee (KGB) said on Thursday it had detained a Lithuanian military intelligence officer and his local agents for spying.

The Belarusian agents admitted to cooperatiug with the Lithuanian special services after they were caught red-handed, the KGB said. Electronic media, as well as other “spy” equipment was seized from them.

The KGB said the suspects had collected top secret military information, including data relating to the security system of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, to pass on to the Lithuanian authorities.

“The timely interference of the KGB made it possible to reveal the plans of foreign intelligence, take its activities under control and prevent serious damage to the state’s defense capability and security,” the KGB said.

Criminal proceedings have been launched against the detainees on suspicion of treason article. They face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry rejected the KGB report as “an insinuation.”

“The information on the official webpage of the Belarusian KGB is not true," foreign ministry spokesman Mindaugas Lasas said. "Such insinuations of the neighboring country’s special services do not contribute to improvement of bilateral relations.”