Germany arrests British National working at U.K. Embassy in Berlin for sharing information with Russia
The German Prosecutors have arrested a British national working at United Kingdom (U.K.) Embassy in Berlin, on charges of sharing classified information with Russian Intelligence Agency.
The 57 years old accused, David S. is believed to have pass on the documents in return for cash. He was arrested in Potsdam city outside Berlin. The German authorities are now searching his home and workplace for more evidence.
David S. is not a diplomat and before his arrest, he was working as a local staff member at the Embassy. He has been passing on critical information to Russians since November 2020.
A Statement from the Chief Federal Prosecutor’s Office of Germany read, “On at least one occasion, he passed on documents he had obtained in the course of his professional activities to a representative of a Russian intelligence service. The accused received cash in an as yet unknown amount in return for his transmission of information.”
The London’s Metropolitan (MET) Police have confirmed the arrest of David S. The arrest is a result of a joint effort of U.K. and German investigation. The accused is supposed to appear before the investigating judge on Wednesday, August 12, 2021. He is facing charges relating to engagement in “intelligence agent activity” under German law.
A Statement from London Metropolitan Police read, “The man was arrested in the Berlin area on suspicion of committing offences relating to being engaged in ‘Intelligence Agent activity’ (under German law).”
The statement further read, “Primacy for the investigation remains with German authorities. Officers from the Counter Terrorism Command continue to liaise with German counterparts as the investigation continues.”
Most importantly, Russia and Germany have not been keeping the best of relations. Germany and other members of the European Union (E.U.) have accused the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin for the poisoning of Putin’s biggest critic – Alexei Navalny. Navalny was flown to Germany, after falling ill on a flight from Siberia to Moscow. He was immediately taken to a hospital in the Siberian City of Omsk after the plane made an emergency landing. Later, he was transported to Berlin on a medical evacuation flight paid for by the German non- governmental organisation – Cinema for Peace. Germany had alleged that Navalny was given a chemical nerve agent from Novichok Group. He was later arrested in January 2021 at the Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, immediately after he returned from Germany.
Separately, last month, the German Chancellor – Angela Merkel and the President of the United States (U.S.) – Joe Biden had vowed to stand together against Russian aggression. Germany has committed as part of an agreement with U.S. to take national-level actions and press for action, including sanctions, at the European level, if Russia uses energy from Nord Stream 2, which it is developing in Germany, as a weapon in dealings with other countries.
