British Embassy Staff in Germany Arrested on Suspicion of Being Russian Spy

The British Embassy in Berlin, Germany [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] A local employee at the British Embassy in Berlin, Germany, was arrested on charges of accepting money and handing over sensitive documents to Russian intelligence agencies.

The Guardian and BBC reported on the 11th (local time) that "German authorities have arrested a local British Embassy staff member on suspicion of being a Russian spy."

According to the German prosecution, the 57-year-old employee identified only as 'David S.' was arrested yesterday in Potsdam, on the outskirts of Berlin, following a joint investigation by Germany and the UK.

German authorities had previously conducted searches of his apartment and office.

He is suspected of providing information to Russia since November of last year.

However, local media reported that the details of the information he leaked and the amount of money he received in return remain unclear.

Russian intelligence agencies and the Russian Embassy in Germany did not respond to inquiries regarding this matter.

A spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry said, "We take this matter seriously," adding, "Espionage activities on German soil are absolutely unacceptable."

The employee arrested on this day was a staff member of the embassy's security company and is not expected to be covered by diplomatic immunity.

A German official stated that the employee is likely to be tried locally rather than being extradited to the UK.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, a member of the UK Shadow Cabinet serving as Home Secretary, described the spy arrest as "a serious breach of UK national security." He added, "It is essential to precisely identify what information was passed to Russia," calling it "another example demonstrating the real threat posed by Russia."

The spy arrest occurred amid worsening relations between the UK, Germany, and Russia.

Since 2018, tensions between the two countries have escalated after the UK government accused the Russian government of being behind an attempted assassination of a Russian opposition figure on UK soil.

Earlier this year, Germany expelled Russian diplomats in response to Russia's detention of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Last month, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated, "We will respond to the threat from Russia together with the United States," signaling a firm stance against Russia.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.