Russian spy case 'very serious,' says Germany

BERLIN

Germany views the arrest of a secret service worker on suspicion of spying for Russia as a “very serious” issue, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

Authorities will be given comprehensive support in the investigation, ministry spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann said at a news briefing in Berlin.

“The Federal Chancellery and the Federal Chancellor (Olaf Scholz) were involved in this case at an early stage,” she said.

Hoffmann did not provide any further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

“It is very important that nothing becomes public that could give the Russian side the opportunity to gain insights,” she said.

Before Christmas, an employee of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency, the BND, was arrested on suspicion of having passed classified information to Russia.

The suspect faces treason charges that carry a prison sentence of at least five years, or life imprisonment in particularly serious cases such as this one.

In a related development, German news magazine Der Spiegel reported that another person who works for the BND was also targeted by investigators.

A tip-off from a friendly Western secret service helped Germany identify the suspect, according to the magazine.

The suspect is said to have opened documents on a work computer that are relevant to the investigation, the report added.

Germany’s relations with Russia have been strained over the war in Ukraine, with Berlin accusing Moscow of war crimes, halting bilateral cooperation, and imposing tough economic sanctions.

German authorities have carried out several probes in recent months against alleged Russian spies and informants, and expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, accusing them of conducting covert activities to destabilize the country’s democratic system.