German authorities have charged three Russian-German nationals with suspicion of, among other things, secret service agent activity for the Russian government.
German authorities have charged three Russian-German nationals on suspicion of activities including acting as secret service agents for the Russian government.
On 9 December 2024, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against the German-Russian nationals before the State Security Senate of the Munich Higher Regional Court. The three men are:
- Dieter S.
- Alexander J. and
- Alex D.
Dieter S. also faces charges of espionage, sabotage, conspiracy to commit arson and explosions, rail traffic interference, and endangering military security.
Dieter S. was active in eastern Ukraine from 2014 as a fighter in an armed unit of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“PRD”). From October 2023, Dieter S. exchanged information with a member of the Russian secret service about possible sabotage actions in the Federal Republic of Germany.
“The actions were intended in particular to undermine the military support provided by Germany to Ukraine against the Russian war of aggression.” reads the statement published by the General Bundesanwalt. “Against this background, the accused S. declared to his interlocutor that he was willing to carry out explosive and arson attacks on military infrastructure and industrial sites. He also promised to carry out sabotage actions against railway lines for the ransport of military goods.”
Dieter S. is also accused of collecting information about potential targets in Bavaria, including US military facilities and a loading station in Upper Palatinate, as well as a tool manufacturing company.
Alexander J. and Alex D. assisted Dieter S. in selecting military and logistical targets, with information shared with an unidentified contact, from March 2024. Dieter S. took photos and videos of the potential targets.
“Dieter S. and Alexander J. were arrested on April 17, 2024 (see press release no. 19 of April 18, 2024). Dieter S. has been in custody since then. The arrest warrant against Alexander J. has been suspended since September 26, 2024. Alex D. is at large.” concludes the statement. “The Federal Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against Dieter S. on suspicion of membership in the foreign terrorist organization “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“VRD”) before the Munich Higher Regional Court on October 18, 2024 (see press release no. 57 of October 31, 2024).”
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