This is a case that arises in Germany just after the discovery of a sabotage project on behalf of Moscow. German justice announced on Monday April 22 the arrest of three people suspected of spying in the military sector for the benefit of China. The suspects will be presented to a judge for remand in custody.
The three people, identified as Herwig F., Ina F. and Thomas R., arrested in Düsseldorf and Bad Homburg, in the west of the country, “are strongly suspected of having worked for a Chinese secret service from a date not exactly defined before June 2022”, writes the federal prosecutor’s office, responsible for espionage cases in Germany. Their homes and workplaces were searched.
“Thomas R. worked as an agent for a member of the MSS [ministère de la sécurité de l’Etat chinois] located in China. For him, he recovered information in Germany on innovative technologies that could be used for military purposes., writes the prosecution. For this purpose, he used the couple Herwig F. and Ina F., who manage a company in Düsseldorf as an intermediary for cooperation with the scientific and research world. This is how the spouses concluded, through their company, an agreement with a German university for the transfer of data, adds the prosecution, without specifying which university it is.
Useful projects to strengthen China’s combat capability
The purpose of the first phase of this agreement was to carry out a study for a Chinese partner on the technical condition of machine parts which are also important for the operation of powerful boat engines, for example in combat ships . However, the Chinese partner was none other than the member of the MSS, for whom Thomas R. worked.
At the time of their arrest, the suspects were negotiating other research projects likely to be useful in strengthening China’s combat capability, particularly in the maritime domain, adds the prosecution. In addition, they are suspected of purchasing special laser equipment on behalf of the MSS and then exporting it to China without authorization. However, this laser is considered a sensitive good, intended for civilian applications but likely to be used for military purposes, and therefore subject to export authorization.
The last announcements of arrests in Germany for the benefit of Chinese intelligence services date back to the summer of 2021: a German political scientist and then his German-Italian wife were arrested for having received ” fees “ in exchange for information obtained mainly through their numerous high-level political contacts.
Highly vigilant security services
The German Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, welcomed these arrests which come five days after those of two men of Russian and German nationality, suspected of having wanted to commit acts of sabotage against Russia for the benefit of Russia. aid to Ukraine, including on a US army base.
Mme Faeser claimed that German security services were “very vigilant” facing “considerable danger of Chinese espionage in the economic, industrial and scientific fields”. After long procrastination, due to close trade ties, Germany has recently somewhat hardened its relations with China. “more offensive”.
A few months ago, the Minister of Education highlighted the risks of scientific espionage by Chinese students holding state scholarships in German universities. A year and a half ago, the leaders of the German secret services also denounced a certain naivety in the country towards China, wishing to appropriate Germany’s economic and scientific know-how.
However, the German economy, which lives on its exports, remains very dependent on the immense Chinese market. And German companies remain eager for partnerships in this country, as last week’s visit to China by Chancellor Olaf Scholz – the second since he took office – showed again.