German authorities in Bavaria apprehended two individuals with dual German and Russian citizenship, suspecting them of espionage on behalf of Russia.
The prosecutors allege their intent was to orchestrate explosions and arson attacks, aiming to destabilize Berlin’s backing of Ukraine militarily, as announced on Thursday.
Federal prosecutors revealed that the duo, identified solely as Dieter S. and Alexander J., were apprehended in the southeastern German city of Bayreuth on Wednesday, according to an official statement.
Dieter S., the main individual implicated in the case, is accused of identifying potential targets for attacks, which reportedly encompassed facilities of the US armed forces stationed in Germany.
In addition, police conducted searches at the homes and workplaces of both individuals on Wednesday.
They are alleged to have “worked for a foreign intelligence service,” in what prosecutors have defined as a “particularly significant case” of espionage.
According to prosecutors, Dieter S. had been exchanging information with a person linked to Russian intelligence services since October 2023, discussing possible sabotage acts.
“The actions were intended, in particular, to undermine the military support provided from Germany to Ukraine against the Russian aggression,” prosecutors said.
The accused allegedly expressed readiness to “commit explosive and arson attacks mainly on military infrastructure and industrial sites in Germany”.
To this end, Dieter S. collected information about potential targets, “including facilities of the US armed forces”.
Fellow accused Alexander J. began assisting him in March 2024 at the latest, they added.
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Dieter S. scouted some of the potential targets by taking photos and videos of military transport and equipment. He then allegedly shared the information with his contact person.
In addition to the espionage charges, Dieter S. is accused of being part of a foreign terrorist entity, with prosecutors indicating strong suspicions that he operated as a fighter within an armed unit aligned with the so-called “People’s Republic of Donetsk” in eastern Ukraine during the period of 2014 to 2016.
Since the onset of the Ukrainian invasion in early 2022, Germany has experienced a series of purported espionage cases linked to Russia, fueling speculation that authorities in Berlin may harbor undue sympathies toward Moscow, thus rattling the nation.
A trial is underway in Berlin for a former German intelligence agent accused of sharing information with Moscow that exposed Germany’s intelligence on Russian mercenary operations in Ukraine.
A German man was given a suspended sentence in November 2022 for passing information to Russian intelligence services while serving as a reserve officer in the German army.