One of the detainees had contact with a Russian agent.
Two possible Russian spies were arrested in the German city of Bayroth. Among other things, they were accused of preparing sabotage and manufacturing explosives, writes Deutsche Welle with reference to the Federal Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe.
Federal police arrested Dieter S. and Alexandra J. and, together with the Bavarian police, conducted searches at the homes and workplaces of the detainees. According to reports, the men were scouting potential attack targets, including US military bases in Germany.
The man, identified in the media as S., was in contact with an agent of the Russian intelligence service. He is accused of conspiracy to commit bombing and arson. Since at least October 2023, he had been discussing possible sabotage with the agent.
These actions were intended, in particular, to undermine the military support that Germany provides to Ukraine. The suspect allegedly told the operative that he was ready to carry out attacks on infrastructure used by the military, as well as industrial facilities in Germany.
S. collected information about potential attack targets. He scouted out some objects, photographed and filmed, for example, military transport. He then passed on the collected information to his supervisor. Suspect J. is accused of beginning to help him no later than March 2024. He is also accused of participating in the terrorist organization “DPR” and fought against Ukraine in 2014-2016.
- The current secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Alexei Danilov, said in March 2024 that Germany is overcrowded with Russian spies.
- Last year, a Russian spy was discovered in German intelligence.