A German intelligence agent suspected of having transmitted information to Russia was arrested on Wednesday, the federal prosecutor's office announced on Thursday.
The German national Carsten L., agent of the federal intelligence services (BND), is suspected of "high treason", writes the Karlsruhe public prosecutor's office, which indicates that they have searched the apartment and the workstation of the latter, as well as those from another person.
"In 2022, he provided information, collected as part of his work, to a Russian intelligence service," said the federal prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe, which deals in particular with espionage cases.
“The investigation was carried out in close collaboration with the BND,” continued the prosecution.
The suspect was brought before a judge and remanded in custody.
“Every detail gives Russia an advantage”
“Restraint and discretion are very important in this particular case.
With Russia, we are dealing, in the opposing camp, with an actor whose lack of scruples and propensity for violence are to be taken into account, ”commented in a press release Bruno Kahl, president of the BND.
Every detail made public "gives an advantage to this adversary (Russia) in its intention to harm Germany".
Until the federal attorney general completes its investigations, the BND “will not comment publicly on the details of this case until further notice.
»
According to the public prosecutor, the agent would have transmitted during the year information relating to the state secret, specifies the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit.
No further details were released as to the nature and extent of the betrayal.
The BND became aware of a possible betrayal in its own ranks “during its intelligence work”, indicates its president Bruno Kahl.
Thorough internal investigations were launched immediately, and confirmed the suspicions.
A possible danger for German informants in Russia
The Spiegel also highlights the possible danger to contacts and informants of the German secret services in Russia, who could have been betrayed by the alleged spy in the ranks of the BND.
According to information from Bild, the anti-espionage service of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution was included in the investigation.
In early April, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, suspected spies, from the country.
Several espionage cases involving Russia have come to light in recent years in Germany, as in other European countries.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the intelligence services have further raised their level of alert on these issues.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: six Russian spies unmasked by the DGSI will be expelled from France
On November 18, a German reserve officer received a suspended prison sentence of one year and nine months in Düsseldorf for spying for Russia.