Move FM Global News

BERLIN, Germany: This week, three people in Germany were arrested for spying for China and arranging to transfer information on technology with potential military uses.

Federal prosecutors said in a statement that the three German citizens are accused of having acted for Chinese intelligence since before June 2022, as well as violating German export laws by exporting a special laser without permission.

They alleged that one suspect, identified only as Thomas R. as per German privacy laws, was an agent for an employee of China’s Ministry of State Security and collected information in Germany on “militarily usable innovative technologies.”

He used Herwig F. and Ina. F, a couple who own a company in Duesseldorf, to contact and work with German researchers, prosecutors added, alleging that the couple established a research transfer agreement with an unidentified German university to draw up a study for a Chinese partner on the technology of machine parts that could be used for powerful ship engines, including those in battleships.

Prosecutors said that Thomas R.’s handler at the MSS was behind the Chinese partner, and the Chinese state financed the project.

They added that the suspects were in negotiations on further research projects that could be useful for expanding China’s naval combat strength when they were arrested.

The suspects also procured a special laser with MSS funding, classified as a “dual-use” instrument under European Union rules, and exported it to China without permission, prosecutors further said.

The three were arrested a week after a three-day visit to China by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, his second since he took office in late 2021.