Germans Detained on Suspicions of Espionage for China

The Prosecutor General’s Office announced on Monday that three German citizens have been apprehended under suspicion of spying for China.

The individuals, identified as Thomas R., Herwig F., and Ina F., were issued arrest warrants by the Federal Court of Justice, Germany’s highest judicial body.

The investigation involves allegations of the accused sharing German technologies with Beijing in violation of the Foreign Trade Act. The authorities conducted searches at the defendants’ residences and workplaces as part of the ongoing probe.

The German authorities believe that the accused had previously worked for a Chinese secret service before June 2022. Thomas R. is alleged to have acted as an agent for an employee of the Chinese Ministry of State Security, seeking information on advanced German technologies with potential military applications.

He made contact with Herwig F. and Ina F., who operated a company in Dusseldorf and served as a point of contact with individuals from the German research and development industry.

The couple collaborated with a German university on a study for a Chinese partner, focusing on cutting-edge machine parts used in high-end ships like combat vessels.

The Prosecutor’s Office stated that the MSS employee, who Thomas R. received orders from, was behind the Chinese partner, and they traced the funding back to the Chinese state.

The authorities also claim that the suspects were engaged in negotiations for further research projects at the time of their arrest.

Additionally, they allegedly violated EU regulations on dual-use technologies by purchasing and transporting a laser from Germany to China. Beijing has firmly denied any involvement in espionage activities in Germany and has called on the German side to cease exploiting these allegations.