German authorities have arrested a Kazakh man in Berlin on suspicion of spying for Russia, according to the German Federal Prosecutor’s Office. Identified only as Sergej K, the man allegedly had been in continuous contact with a Russian intelligence service since at least May last year.

Prosecutors claim Sergej K provided his Russian handler with details about German military aid for Ukraine, including companies involved in developing drones and robotic systems. He also purportedly sent photos of NATO military convoys and public buildings in Berlin.

Other activities allegedly included offering to find other espionage agents in Germany, though it remains unclear whether he succeeded. There was no immediate reaction from Kazakhstan or Russia.

The case is the latest in a string of Moscow-linked espionage and disinformation plots German authorities claim to have discovered since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Two German-Russian dual nationals were arrested in 2024 on suspicion of plotting sabotage attacks on US military sites in Germany.

German police have also arrested various alleged “disposable” agents, known to carry out sabotage and espionage for Russia in exchange for small payments. Earlier this month, Berlin summoned the Russian ambassador to condemn what it called “direct threats” against “targets in Germany”.

Berlin’s Federal Foreign Office stated that the threats were intended to undermine Germany’s support for Ukraine. “Our response is clear: we will not be intimidated. Such threats and all forms of espionage in Germany are completely unacceptable,” the Foreign Office said.

Germany has also accused “state-sponsored” Russian hackers of carrying out an “intolerable” 2023 cyberattack on members of the Social Democratic Party, a charge that Russia’s embassy in Germany “categorically rejected”. Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in Germany-based espionage schemes.

Source: www.aljazeera.com