Berlin
CNN
—
A German citizen who worked for the country’s foreign intelligence service was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of spying for Russia, according to the office of the German Federal Attorney General.
“The defendant is urgently suspected of treason,” said a news release by the German Attorney General, Carsten L.
The defendant, who is employed by the Federal Intelligence Agency (BND), was charged on the arrest warrant with the following facts: The content is a state secret within Article 93 of the Criminal Code,” the release said.
It was not immediately clear whether he had been appointed a lawyer.CNN has sought a response on the matter from the office of Germany’s Attorney General.
Police searched the home and workplace of the defendant and another suspect. The investigation was conducted in close cooperation with the BND.
The accused was brought before a Supreme Court investigating judge on Thursday and ordered to remain in custody.
In his annual speech outlining threats to Britain, the country’s security chief said in November that 600 Russian officials had been expelled from Europe this year, 400 of whom his agency determined were spies. said.
In October, Norwegian police arrested an academic claiming to be a Brazilian citizen on suspicion of secretly spying for Russia, according to Norwegian public broadcaster NRK.
In June, Dutch authorities announced they had thwarted an attempt by Russian spies to gain access to the International Criminal Court (ICC) by posing as interns.
