Three individuals suspected of stealing innovative military technologies for China were arrested in Hesse and North Westphalia, Germany, the Federal Prosecutor's Office of Germany confirmed, as was reported b ythe German-language news outlet Tagesschau .
The Bottom Line Upfront
Federal Prosecutor Jenns Rommel stated that the three German suspects who have been arrested were accused of carrying out Chinese intelligence in Dusseldorf on a behalf of a company there, with a Chinese state intelligence agent in the background.
The three individuals were consciously aware that they were cooperating with Chinese intelligence. They set up research transfer agreements with unidentified German univeristies. While the suspects were aware of their actions, the university members that cooperated with the information exchanges were reportedly "clueless" that they were being solicited to transfer information gathered through espionage.
The Breakdown
Thomas Haldenwang, President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, told German media that the national authorities had been aware of the suspects for a while, and monitored them until the time their arrests were possible under German law. The espionage activities had been ongoing since at least June 2022, public German broadcaster WDR Aktuell reported.
The three suspects were found to be in possession of sensitive research, including potentially military-applicable lasers and technology to enhance naval vessel performance. Authorities in Germany explained in recent press releases that the attempt at espionage was "not directly carried out by the Chinese."
Three individuals suspected of stealing military technologies for China have been arrested in Germany.
The arrests come shortly after German Chancellor Olaf Sholz's visit to China, during which he addressed issues of intellectual property theft and fair market access.
The suspects were reportedly in negotiations with the Chinese to pass on more militarily sensitive research at the time of their arrest.
