Germany opens hotline for Russian and Chinese dissidents under threat
Photo: among those persecuted are journalists and dissidents (from open sources)
Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has launched a hotline for people who have found refuge in the country after fleeing authoritarian states, including Russia, China, and Iran, reports Reuters.
The agency has published a special 16-page brochure detailing the hotline's services. It was created for individuals who may face persecution or attacks from representatives of their countries of origin.
According to Reuters, this concerns cases of intimidation, surveillance, repression, as well as attempted abduction or murder. Among the potential users of the hotline are dissidents, journalists, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The BfV is also urging people who seek help to share information. The agency plans to use this data to analyze repressive strategies of authoritarian states and find ways to counter them.
The brochure states that the German intelligence service can help prevent specific threats that individuals face.
The BfV stated that through its own investigations and information from those affected, it can identify those responsible for persecution.
Germany plans to expand intelligence powers
The launch of the hotline comes amid Berlin's plans to grant German intelligence services new powers to counter foreign adversaries.
This includes, in particular, the ability to intercept communications and disrupt operations of foreign states. Such measures have been under discussion for several months in connection with the growing threat of cyberattacks and hybrid attacks.
The proposed changes are intended to expand the capabilities of the BfV, as well as Germany's Federal Intelligence Service (BND), in data collection and countering attacks.
Earlier, it was reported that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found Russia guilty of systematically suppressing freedom of speech and persecuting people for criticizing the war against Ukraine.
