Three Germans arrested for spying for China

A few days after the arrest of two suspected Russian saboteurs, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office arrested people again this morning on suspicion of espionage – in Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia. This time it’s about China.

The attacks took place on Monday in Bad Homburg, Hesse, and in Düsseldorf. Federal Prosecutor General Jens Rommel accuses two men and a woman of having committed criminal offenses of “secret service spy activity” for China. They are said to have founded a front company and intended to establish scientific collaborations with German universities in order to obtain military-important information and pass it on to China.

Specifically, the main accused, Thomas R., is said to have carried out these activities together with a couple from Düsseldorf. According to investigative circles, an agent from the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) was in the background. The three people are said to have known that they worked for the MSS. However, their cooperation partners at German universities were apparently clueless.

Espionage is the biggest threat to the economy

According to investigative circles, there is already cooperation with a technical university in East Germany, and further projects were in preparation. Sensitive information is also said to have already reached China – including about a high-performance engine that is suitable for combat ships. In addition, there is said to have been a delivery of so-called “dual-use” goods that can be used for both civil and military purposes and fall under the Foreign Trade Act.

Espionage by China with a view to economic advantages, but also military secret services, is considered one of the greatest threats to the German economy and universities. What is interesting about the current case is that the espionage attempt is not said to have been carried out directly by the Chinese, but rather a front company was apparently founded by the accused. The two men and the woman are scheduled to be brought before the investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice today and tomorrow, who will decide on pre-trial detention.