German prosecutors have charged three Russian-German nationals for acting as agents for Russia’s secret service. Dieter S., Alexander J., and Alex D. face accusations of working for a foreign intelligence agency, with Dieter S. also implicated in sabotage activities, including photographing military installations to threaten national security.
Dieter S. and Alexander J. were arrested by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) on espionage charges. In late October 2024, Dieter S. was additionally charged for his involvement in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) armed unit.
The Office of the Federal Prosecutor (Generalbundesanwalt) reported that Dieter S. had been in contact with a Russian secret service agent and a DPR member since October 2023, exchanging information on potential sabotage in Germany. These actions were aimed at disrupting Germany’s military support to Ukraine amid Russia’s war of aggression.
Dieter S. planned attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites, including explosive and arson attacks, targeting railway lines used for military goods. He gathered intelligence on sites in Bavaria, such as U.S. military facilities and a tool manufacturing company, with help from Alexander J. and Alex D. by March 2024.
Prosecutors revealed that Dieter S. scouted targets in person, taking photos and videos of military transports and sharing the intel with his Russian contact.
In related developments, the Generalbundesanwalt also filed charges against Mehmet K., a Turkish citizen suspected of working for the Turkish secret service, and Martin D., a U.S. national arrested in November 2024 for offering sensitive U.S. military information to Chinese agencies.
Additionally, Yaqi X., a Chinese citizen, was arrested for passing on sensitive information to a Chinese intelligence agent. Yaqi X., who worked at Leipzig/Halle Airport, collected data on flights, cargo, and passengers connected to a German defense company, which was shared with Jian G., previously apprehended in early 2024.