Germany indicts army reservist suspected of spying for Russia
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany has indicted a former officer in its reserve pressure on costs of spying for Russia, the Federal Public Prosecutor (GBA) stated on Friday, in a case that will worsen relations strained by tensions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
As a deputy commander of a squad, Ralph G., whose household title can’t be absolutely disclosed below privateness legal guidelines, supplied Russian brokers with “quite a few paperwork and knowledge” concerning the German military from October 2014 till March 2020, German prosecutor Ines Peterson stated in a press release.
Strains between Russia and the NATO navy alliance have risen to ranges unseen for the reason that Chilly Conflict after the West imposed unprecedented sanctions in opposition to Russia over the warfare in Ukraine.
The prosecutor didn’t say if or how the suspect had pleaded. Nor did the prosecutor present details about his legal professionals or trial, saying solely that the indictment was filed on March 16 on the Greater Regional Court docket within the western metropolis of Duesseldorf.
The GBA additionally accuses the suspect, who was a member of a lot of financial committees, of supplying Russian brokers with details about the affect on German firms of EU sanctions in opposition to Russia over its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
He additionally supplied details about Nord Stream 2, the pipeline owned by Russian gasoline large Gazprom and which Germany halted in February after Russia formally recognised two breakaway areas in jap Ukraine shortly earlier than it invaded its neighbour, the prosecutor stated.
Peterson declined to say if and when the suspect was stripped of his rank or whether or not he had been expelled from the navy reserve.
A number of European Union nations together with Belgium, the Netherlands and Eire this week expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, some for alleged spying. Russia vowed to retaliate.
Peterson stated Ralph G. had given Russian brokers details about Germany’s reserve pressure and civil defence. By way of him, Russia’s secret service additionally obtained private and get in touch with particulars of high-ranking officers within the navy and outstanding company managers, the prosecutor stated.
The suspect can also be accused of serving to his Russian handlers perceive U.S. defence insurance policies with its companions within the NATO navy alliance, the prosecutor stated.
(Reporting by Joseph Nasr, Modifying by William Maclean)
