Three German citizens stood trial in the western city of Dusseldorf on Tuesday, May 13, accused of providing military technology intelligence to the Chinese Communist Party and engaging in espionage.
The defendants are a couple, 73-year-old Herwig F. and 69-year-old Ina F., and another man, 60-year-old Thomas R.
The three were arrested in April 2024. The couple was temporarily released in October of the same year, while Thomas remains in custody.
Prosecutors allege that the trio gathered intelligence for China’s State Security Ministry, with a focus on collecting German intelligence that would enhance the naval combat capabilities of the Chinese military. It is reported that the three collected technical information including ship engines, sonar systems, armored vehicle propulsion systems, and military drones from February 2017 until their arrest.
The prosecution claims that the three, using the couple’s company name, established cooperative contacts with commercial enterprises and research institutions in Germany.
The couple also signed a cooperation agreement with a German university for a research project focusing on the components used in ship engines and other equipment.
The three defendants were also commissioned by Chinese intelligence agencies to procure three specialized laser devices from Germany and export them to China. This action violates EU laws prohibiting the export of dual-use military and civilian systems.
In addition to being charged with working for a foreign intelligence agency, the trio is also accused of violating Germany’s Foreign Trade Act.