German prosecutors indict three people alleged of spying for China

German prosecutors have indicted three people of spying for China by obtaining information about military technology on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) spy agency.

All three German nationals were arrested by police in April 2024 in Dusseldorf and in the town of Bad Homburg, located just outside of Frankfurt.

At the time of the arrests, the suspects were in negotiations about research projects that could be useful in particular for the expansion of China's maritime combat power, according to prosecutors.

The main suspect in the case has remained in custody since his arrest. He is accused of having worked as an agent for the MSS since 2017.

With the help of a company owned by the two alleged accomplices - a married couple - he allegedly procured information on innovative technologies with potential military applications on behalf of his MSS handler.

The couple had made contact with companies and scientific institutions through their company, prosecutors allege.