German prosecutors on Thursday indicted three people for allegedly spying for China by obtaining information about military technology on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) spy agency.
All three German nationals were arrested by police in April 2024 in Dusseldorf and in the town of Bad Homburg, located just outside of Frankfurt.
At the time of the arrests, the suspects were in negotiations about research projects that could be useful in particular for the expansion of China’s maritime combat power, according to prosecutors.
The main suspect in the case has remained in custody since his arrest. He is accused of having worked as an agent for the MSS since 2017.
With the help of a company owned by the two alleged accomplices – a married couple – he allegedly procured information on innovative technologies with potential military applications on behalf of his MSS handler.
The couple had made contact with companies and scientific institutions through their company, prosecutors allege.
“In the period from February 2017 to April 2024, they repeatedly collected information that could be useful for the expansion of China’s maritime combat power in particular,” reads a statement from Germany’s Office of the Attorney General. “This included information on boat engines, sonar systems, aircraft protection systems, propulsion systems for armoured vehicles and military drones.”
The main suspect allegedly passed the information on to his contact, according to prosecutors.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office said that the married couple were released in October after their arrest warrants were suspended.
In one case, the couple had concluded a co-operation agreement with a German university for the transfer of scientific research. A study had been prepared for a Chinese contract partner on the state of the art of machine parts that can be used for powerful ship engines – such as those used in naval ships.
The Chinese contractor was allegedly backed by the MSS officer from whom one of the suspects is accused of having received orders, and the project was reportedly financed by Chinese state agencies.
In addition, the suspects allegedly purchased three special lasers in Germany using funds supplied by the MSS and then exported the lasers to China without authorization.
The charges against the three suspects also include commercial offences against the Foreign Trade and Payments Act.
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