German prosecutors announced on Thursday that two German-Russian men were arrested in Bavaria under suspicion of espionage for Russia. The individuals, identified as Dieter S. and Alexander J., were detained in Bayreuth, located in southeastern Germany, as confirmed by federal prosecutors.
Dieter S., the primary suspect, is accused of surveying potential targets for attacks, which may include facilities of the US armed forces stationed in Germany. The arrests were followed by police searches conducted at the residences and workplaces of both individuals.
The investigation suggests that they were acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service in a case deemed as “particularly serious” by prosecutors. Dieter S. is believed to have been in contact with a person connected to Russian intelligence services since October 2023, engaging in discussions about potential acts of sabotage.
Their alleged intentions were to disrupt the military assistance provided by Germany to Ukraine in response to Russian aggression. Plans included possible explosive and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites within Germany, with Dieter S. actively gathering information on potential targets, including US armed forces’ facilities.
Aiding Dieter S., Alexander J. reportedly joined the activities no later than March 2024. Dieter S. conducted reconnaissance on potential targets by capturing photos and videos of military transport and equipment, subsequently sharing this intelligence with his contact.
In addition to the espionage charges, Dieter S. is also facing separate allegations of affiliating with a foreign terrorist organization due to suspicions of serving as a fighter in an armed unit of the “People’s Republic of Donetsk” in eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2016.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Germany has experienced various instances of suspected espionage linked to Russia, amid concerns of pro-Moscow sentiment among officials in Berlin. Notably, a former German intelligence officer is currently undergoing trial in Berlin on accusations of leaking information to Moscow, revealing Germany’s access to details on Russian mercenary operations in Ukraine, which he refutes.
In a separate incident in November 2022, a German citizen received a suspended sentence for divulging information to Russian intelligence services while serving as a reserve officer in the German army.
AFP