Germany Arrests Two Over Military Base Attack Plot For Russia
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published April 18, 2024 | 04:40 PM
Frankfurt, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Apr, 2024) Two German-Russian men have been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia and planning attacks in Germany -- including on US army targets -- to undermine military support for Ukraine, prosecutors said Thursday.
The pair, identified only as Dieter S. and Alexander J., were arrested in Bayreuth in the southeastern state of Bavaria on Wednesday, Federal prosecutors said in a statement.
The main accused, Dieter S., is alleged to have scouted potential targets for attacks, "including facilities of the US armed forces" stationed in Germany.
Police have searched both men's homes and places of work.
They are suspected of "having been active for a foreign intelligence service" in what prosecutors described as a "particularly serious case" of espionage.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser likewise called the allegations "a particularly serious case of suspected agent activity for (Vladimir) Putin's criminal regime".
"We will continue to thwart such threat plans," she said, reiterating Germany's steadfast support for Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock summoned the Russian ambassador over the arrests, the ministry in Berlin said.
- US army facilities targeted -
According to prosecutors, Dieter S. had been exchanging information with a person linked to Russian intelligence services since October 2023, discussing possible acts of sabotage.
"The actions were intended, in particular, to undermine the military support provided from Germany to Ukraine against the Russian aggression," prosecutors said.
The accused allegedly expressed readiness to "commit explosive and arson attacks mainly on military infrastructure and industrial sites in Germany".
Dieter S. collected information about potential targets, "including facilities of the US armed forces".
Fellow accused Alexander J. began assisting him from March 2024, they added.
Dieter S. scouted potential targets by taking photos and videos of military transport and equipment.
He then allegedly shared the information with his contact person.
Der Spiegel magazine reported that the military facilities spied on included the US army base in Grafenwoehr in Bavaria.
"Among other things, there is an important military training area there where the US army trains Ukrainian soldiers, for example on Abrams battle tanks," Der Spiegel wrote.
Dieter S. faces an additional charge of belonging to a "foreign terrorist organisation". Prosecutors said they suspect he was a fighter in an armed unit of eastern Ukraine's self-proclaimed pro-Russian "People's Republic of Donetsk" in 2014-2016.
- Espionage showdown -
Germany is Ukraine's second-largest supplier of military aid, and news of the spy arrests came as Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck was on a visit to Kyiv.
"We will continue to provide Ukraine with massive support and will not allow ourselves to be intimidated," Interior Minister Faeser said.
Germany has been shaken by several cases of alleged spying for Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, amid suggestions that some German officials have been too sympathetic with Moscow in the past.
A former German intelligence officer is on trial in Berlin, accused of handing information to Moscow that showed Germany had access to details of Russian mercenary operations in Ukraine. He denies the charges.
In November 2022, a German man was handed a suspended sentence for passing information to Russian intelligence while serving as a German army reserve officer.
"We know that the Russian power apparatus is also focusing on our country -- we must respond to this threat with resistance and determination," Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said Thursday.
Russian authorities for their part have levelled treason charges against dozens of people accused of aiding Kyiv and the West since the invasion.
A Russian court sentenced a resident of Siberia's Omsk region to 12 years in jail earlier this month for trying to pass secrets to the German government in exchange for help moving there.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Govt reduces petrol price by Rs5.45 per litre
Pakistan’s Ambassador to UAE meets Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
Statement of Engro Corporation - LNG Case Decision
Wasim Akram touches fans’ hearts by new look
Empowering women for employment is the need of hour, says Sadaffe Abid
Global study reveals Pakistan’s inadequate measures against Tobacco Industry
Co-Working Center launched in Okara under PITB’s e-Earn program
BHC judges recommend legal action over agencies interference into judicial matte ..
Third Women T20I: Pakistan to face West Indies today
Mahira Khan delights at Arijit Singh’s concert in Dubai
Dubai Customs Celebrates World Intellectual Property Day, Honors Schools and Uni ..
Vivo Reveals Durefishan Saleem as Brand Ambassador for its Upcoming Y100 Smartph ..
More Stories From World
-
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 3rd update
58 minutes ago -
Amazon triples quarterly profit as cloud and ads grow
1 hour ago -
Football: UEFA Champions League result
1 hour ago -
Police use tear gas, rubber bullets in Georgia pro-EU protest crackdown
1 hour ago -
Changpeng Zhao, the 'normal guy' who conquered crypto
2 hours ago -
Blinken says first Jordan aid trucks leaving to Gaza through Erez crossing
3 hours ago
-
Mueller starts for Bayern, Tchouameni back for Real Madrid
3 hours ago -
UN rights chief 'troubled' by tough police action against pro-Palestinian protesters at US universit ..
3 hours ago -
Pakistan’s Ambassador to UAE meets Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah
3 hours ago -
Blinken demands 'no more delays' by Hamas on truce deal
4 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 2nd update
4 hours ago -
US panel recommends women receive breast cancer screening from 40
4 hours ago