The accused, who holds the rank of captain, worked for the Federal Service for Equipment, Information Technology and Technical Support (BAAINBw) of the Bundeswehr.
Based in Koblenz, the institution is responsible for supplying the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) with equipment and weapons, as well as for the development, testing and acquisition of defense technology.
It is said that since May 2023, the man has repeatedly offered to cooperate with the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian Embassy in Berlin on his own initiative.
Prosecutors say the defendant, identified only as Thomas H due to strict German privacy laws, passed on the information with the intent that it would be used by Russian intelligence. There is no record that he received any money in return.
More detailed data about what information he may have passed on is not disclosed.
Germany is one of the biggest military supporters of Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion. The country’s security authorities say they have stepped up efforts to combat espionage by Russian services.
Federal police officers arrested the captain in Koblenz last August. Prosecutors filed charges in March. His trial at the Düsseldorf Higher District Court is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. morning (9:00 a.m. GMT).
Tags: military man accused spying Russia stand trial Germany
