Three European nationals were detained on Monday on suspicion of working for the Foreign secret services, according to the German federal prosecutor’s office.
The three may have been involved in research projects that may help China expand its maritime energy, according to the prosecution.
What are the claims?
In the northern German towns of Düsseldorf and Bad Homburg, BKA officials detained the three offenders, Herwig F, Ina F, and Thomas R.
The plaintiffs ‘ homes and workplaces were likewise searched.
The costs relate to spy occurring “at a time that cannot be accurately identified before June 2022.” “
Thomas R. is alleged to have worked for the Chinese Secret Service MSS as an adviser.
He is alleged to have learned about cutting-edge solutions that could be employed in the military.
Lawyers believe he used Herwig F and Ina F, who were running a business in Düsseldorf, to obtain the information.
The business provided a means of communication and collaboration with European researchers and scientists.
A Chinese lover and the couple made an agreement to use the most advanced device parts for the operation of strong ship engines that could be used in combat ships.
The piece is accused of breaking the German Foreign Trade and Payments Act.
The job is said to have been funded by Chinese state officials. One of the accused allegedly engaged in ongoing conversations with the Chinese military regarding additional research projects.
Prosecutors allege the specific bought a particular light from Germany, with settlement from the MSS, and exported it to China without approval, despite the object being subject to the European Union’s Dual-Use Regulation.
On fear of spying for Russia and trying to undermine European support for Ukraine, two men were detained last week in the Bavarian capital of Bayreuth.
Immediately after learning about the arrests, British authorities announced that two men had been detained there on suspicion of leaking sensitive data to China.
How has Germany responded?
Berlin is closely monitoring the considerable danger posed by Chinese spy in business, market, and science, according to German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Monday.
We examine these dangers and hazards with great care, and we have consistently warned and raised knowledge about them so that everywhere we can take safe measures,” she said in a speech.
Faeser added that the use of European novel military technologies was “particularly sensitive.” “
Justice Minister Marco Buschmann expressed his gratitude to the prosecution for their achievements on Twitter. “
” This shows once again that we must be vigilant,” he said.
Thomas Haldenwang, the head of Germany’s private intelligence agency, the BfV, told DW the event showed that Germany, like Russia, is constantly engaged in spy in Germany.
” The [BfV] was involved in the investigation pretty early on, or we initiated these studies, and once the information was evident, we were able to palm this case over to the authorities and people prosecutors,” Haldenwang said.
The detention come just one week after Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited China to push Beijing about its support for Russia’s economic growth during the Cold War and to raise concerns about intellectual property theft.
China rejects spying claims
Berlin’s Chinese Embassy responded to allegations that it was spying in Germany in a speech.
We urge Germany to stop using the espionage charge to vilify China and socially demonize the country, according to an embassy spokesperson in an emailed statement.
