3 Germans Arrested on Suspicion of Spying for China, Transferring Info on Potential Military Tech

German Police - May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
German Police - May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
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3 Germans Arrested on Suspicion of Spying for China, Transferring Info on Potential Military Tech

German Police - May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
German Police - May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

Three people suspected of spying for China and facilitating the transfer of information on technology with potential military uses were arrested in Germany on Monday.
Prosecutors said that the three German citizens are accused of having acted for Chinese intelligence since some point before June 2022. They are also suspected of violating German export laws, The Associated Press said.
One of the suspects, identified only as Thomas R. in line with German privacy laws, was allegedly an agent for an employee of China's Ministry of State Security and procured information in Germany on “militarily usable innovative technologies” for that person, federal prosecutors said in a statement.
To do that, prosecutors said, he used Herwig F. and Ina. F, a couple who own a company in Duesseldorf that was used to contact and work with German researchers.
The couple allegedly set up a research transfer agreement with an unidentified German company, the first step in which was to draw up a study for a Chinese partner on the technology of machine parts that could be used for powerful ship engines, including those in battleships. Thomas R.'s handler at the MSS was behind the Chinese partner and the project was financed by the Chinese state, prosecutors said.
At the time of the arrests, the suspects were in negotiations on further research projects that could be useful for expanding the combat strength of the Chinese navy, they added.
The suspects also procured with MSS funding a special laser and exported it to China without permission, although it was classified as a “dual-use” instrument under European Union rules, prosecutors said.
The homes and offices of the suspects, who were arrested in Duesseldorf and in Bad Homburg, near Frankfurt, were searched.



Denmark to Host Meeting on Arctic Security

Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen walks on the day of the meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Oslo, Norway May 9, 2025. NTB/Terje Pedersen via REUTERS
Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen walks on the day of the meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Oslo, Norway May 9, 2025. NTB/Terje Pedersen via REUTERS
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Denmark to Host Meeting on Arctic Security

Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen walks on the day of the meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Oslo, Norway May 9, 2025. NTB/Terje Pedersen via REUTERS
Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen walks on the day of the meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Oslo, Norway May 9, 2025. NTB/Terje Pedersen via REUTERS

The leaders of Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Norway will meet Monday for talks on Arctic security, Denmark's government said, as US President Donald Trump vies to gain control of Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly said the US needs the strategically-located resource-rich Arctic island for security reasons, and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it.

Trump's comments have sparked concern in other Arctic regions as well, including Iceland and Norway's Svalbard archipelago.

The remarks have also angered Danish and Greenlandic leaders, who have insisted that the island will decide its own future and the US "will not get Greenland."

"Even though our countries meet in different parts of the world, it is natural that we, in this circle of countries, meet to discuss the current security situation in the Arctic and the North Atlantic," AFP quoted Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as saying in a statement issued on Sunday.

Monday's talks will be held in Torshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, and be attended by Frederiksen as well as Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir and Faroe Islands Prime Minister Aksel Johannesen.

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store will participate via video link.