Three German Citizens Arrested For Leaking Technology To China

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (photo: x @NancyFaeser)

JAKARTA - Three German citizens have been arrested on suspicion of working with a Chinese secret agent to deliver technology that can be used for military purposes. Technology that has the potential to help strengthen the Chinese navy, German officials said on Monday, April 22.

The arrest came a week after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz traveled to China to pressure Beijing on its support for Russia's war economy and to raise the issue of intellectual property theft and fair market access.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the government was monitoring what she called a significant threat posed by Chinese espionage in business, industry and science.

"We are watching these risks and threats very closely and have clearly warned and raised awareness of them so that protective measures are stepped up everywhere," Faeser said.

In this case, the issue of Germany's innovative technology that can be used for military purposes is "very sensitive," he added.

Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said in a statement: "At the time of their arrest, the suspects were in further negotiations on research projects that could be very useful for expanding China's maritime combat power."

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Prosecutors identified the suspects as Herwig F. and Ina F., a married couple running a company in Dusseldorf, and Thomas R., described by prosecutors as agents for an unidentified employee of the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS).

The couple concluded a cooperation agreement with a German university through their company, which involved drafting a study for MSS employees on machine parts that could be used for maritime engines such as on warships, prosecutors said in a statement.

The suspects also bought a special laser from Germany on behalf of and with payments from the MSS, and exported it to China without permission, according to prosecutors, which did not specify what the laser could be used for.

The arrests were made based on information gathered by German domestic intelligence agents, prosecutors said.

Last week, Germany arrested two German-Russian citizens on suspicion of espionage for Russia. They are said to have planned a sabotage attack aimed at undermining German military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.