The German Federal Prosecutor’s Office has arrested three citizens, identified as Gerwig F., Ina F., and Thomas R., for their alleged ties with the Chinese intelligence service and involvement in a technology transfer with potential military applications. Officers of the Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt) carried out the arrest in Düsseldorf and Bad Homburg.
According to the issued arrest warrants, Thomas R. allegedly served as an agent for a Chinese intelligence officer affiliated with the Ministry of State Security (MSS). Exploiting his contacts within the German research community, Thomas R. used a company operated by the married couple, Gerwig F. and Ina F., to gain information about innovative technologies with potential military applications and to forge relationships with German research entities.
One of their contracts established a scientific knowledge transfer agreement with a German university aimed at conducting a study on the condition of machine parts crucial for marine engines used on warships. It has been disclosed that these machine parts are of significant importance to the Chinese. Financing came from an MSS employee, channeled through Chinese government agencies.
The German authorities also alleged that the defendants procured a special laser in Germany at the direction and expense of the MSS. This laser, governed under the EU Dual Use Regulation, was exported to China without the necessary authorization – a violation of trade and compliance regulations.
Following their arrest, the defendants will be presented before an investigative judge of the Federal Court. The judge is expected to issue the official arrest warrants and decide on any pre-trial detention measures.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has voiced sentiment about the arrests on X(formerly Twitter), noting her concerns about exploiting German innovative technologies by external entities for military purposes. The importance of consistent vigilance in this area was stressed. Similarly, the Federal Prosecutor General’s investigative success was congratulated by Justice Minister Marco Buschmann.
In contrast, the Chinese embassy in Berlin has offered no comments on the current situation.
In recent related events, police in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth arrested two men suspected to have been spying for Russia, planning to undermine German support for Ukraine by executing sabotage attacks.
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