A citizen of Kazakhstan, suspected by German law enforcement of passing information to a Russian intelligence service, has been detained in Berlin. Searches have been carried out at his home, and a court is considering the question of pre-trial detention.
WHAT IS KNOWN
According to the German Federal Public Prosecutor General's Office, the arrest took place on 29 April in Berlin. As part of the investigation, officers of the criminal police carried out a search not only at the suspect's residence, but also at the home of another individual who is not a suspect in the case, reports DW.
The arrest warrant was issued by a judge of the Federal Court of Justice. The document states that Sergei K., while in Germany, began maintaining constant contact with a Russian intelligence service no later than May 2025.
ALLEGED ACTIONS
According to the investigation's version of events, the suspect passed information of various kinds to his contact over several months. In particular, this concerns data related to Germany's military support for Ukraine, as well as the German defence industry, including companies developing drones and robotics.
It is also alleged that he passed on photographs of public buildings in Berlin and convoys of military vehicles on motorways, including equipment belonging to a NATO state. The investigation claims the suspect shared information about potential targets for sabotage and offered to find people to participate in such activities.
ASSESSMENT OF THE PASSED INFORMATION
As reported by Der Spiegel citing sources in the security services, no evidence has been found that Sergei K. took any real steps to organise sabotage.
"Rather, he offered ideas. Most of the information he passed was publicly available," the article states.
However, the magazine's interlocutors note that the key factor for the investigation was the prolonged maintenance of contacts with the Russian intelligence service and the willingness to carry out its instructions.
WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW
It is expected that on 29 April the detainee will appear before a judge of the Federal Court of Justice. The court will decide on his pre-trial detention.