BERLIN ( AP )- Three people were detained in Germany on Monday after being detained for allegedly arranging to exchange information on technologies with potential military purposes.
The three European nationals are accused of working for Chinese intelligence for some time before June 2022, according to the prosecution. Additionally, they are suspected of breaking European export rules by exporting a special light without authorization.
One of the suspects, identified just as Thomas R. supposedly worked for a member of China’s Ministry of State Security and obtained information in Germany about “militarily useful modern technology ” for that individual, according to federal prosecutors in a statement.
To do that, lawyers said, he used Herwig F. and Ina. F, a few who own a business in Duesseldorf that was used to communicate with and collaborate with European academics.
UK Must ‘Wake Up’ to the Growing Issue of Chinese Spying – Ex-MI6 Chiefhttps ://t. co/mLxa8d2DGF
— Breitbart London ( @BreitbartLondon ) February 15, 2023
The couple reportedly entered into a study transfer agreement with an undisclosed European university, with the intention of conducting a study on the development of machine parts that could be used for strong ship engines, including those found in battleships. Thomas R. According to the prosecution, the project was funded by the Chinese state and its operator at the MSS was behind the Taiwanese companion.
The defendants were negotiating with the defendants about further research projects that might be beneficial for boosting China’s naval battle force at the time of the arrests, they continued.
According to the prosecution, the suspects also purchased a specific light from MSS and illegally exported it to China, even though it was a “dual-use” device under EU regulations.
The houses and offices of the suspects, who were arrested in Duesseldorf and in Bad Homburg, near Frankfurt, were searched.
The defendants were detained a year after Chancellor Olaf Scholz made his second trip to China since taking office in late 2021.
German officials said the trip had n’t played any role in the timing of the arrests, but that the government was n’t aware of the situation at the time.
The German government highlighted its desire to work with Beijing on issues like climate change and maintain strong trade ties in a strategy for relations with China released last year. It pointed to a “systemic rivalry ” with the Asian power and a need to lessen the risks of economic dependency.
We take decisive action against all analog and digital spy and destroy activities by state-controlled groups and Chinese intelligence services, whether they are directed against Germany or get against them. ”
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Monday’s detention were “a tremendous success for our counterespionage. ”
“We are keeping an eye on the significant threat from Chinese spy in company, industry and science, ” she said in a statement. We are closely monitoring these risks and threats, and we have clearly alerted and sensibilized people so that outside may take extra precautions. ”
BERLIN, GERMANY– APRIL 22: The Foreign symbol hangs outside the Chinese Embassy on April 22, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. Three people have been detained in Germany after being accused of possible eavesdropping for China. The three officially worked for a business that had been established as a top to buy cutting-edge systems. ( Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images )
