Three suspects charged with espionage for Russia in Germany
Photo: three individuals in Germany accused of spying for Russia (Getty Images)
The German Federal Prosecutor's Office has charged three men with espionage for Russia, Spiegel reports.
The accused reportedly hold both German and Russian citizenship. They face charges of "espionage on behalf of intelligence services," among other offenses.
The charges were filed on December 9 in the State Security Senate of the Munich Higher Regional Court.
The main suspect, 40-year-old Dieter S. from Bayreuth, is also accused of "sabotage agent activities," "taking photographs of military facilities compromising security," and conspiring to interfere with railway traffic.
His alleged accomplices are 38-year-old Alexander J. and 43-year-old Alex D., who reportedly scouted potential targets in Bavaria.
According to the investigation, these targets included the US military training ground in Grafenwöhr, where Ukrainian soldiers are trained, and a tool manufacturing plant near Bayreuth producing weapons.
Additionally, Dieter S. is alleged to have spied on the freight station in Parsberg, Upper Palatinate, which handles military vehicles.
German authorities began monitoring the suspects in the winter and spring of 2024. The investigation concluded that the men may have considered sabotaging military infrastructure in Germany, including explosions and arson.
These acts were allegedly intended to "undermine" Germany’s military support for Ukraine.
The main suspect reportedly had "excellent connections" with Russian intelligence services and is said to have previously fought on behalf of the so-called DNR (Donetsk People's Republic).
Earlier, we reported that a Lithuanian politician is suspected of espionage for Russia.
In Slovenia, a court sentenced a Russian couple to 19 months in prison each after they confessed to espionage. They were also ordered to leave the country upon serving their sentences and are barred from returning to Slovenia for five years.
