Germany has arrested a U.S. citizen in Frankfurt on Thursday, November 7th, after being suspected of offering intelligence on the U.S. military to China. Due to German privacy laws, the suspect is only being identified as Martin D. The offering of intelligence is said to have happened while Martin D. was working for the U.S. Armed Forces in Germany.
In a statement made by the Office of the Federal Prosecutor in Germany, prosecutors said Martin D. is accused of having declared himself prepared to work as an agent for a foreign intelligence entity, and he had “contacted Chinese officials in 2024 and offered to hand them sensitive information about the US military.”
According to prosecutors, Martin D. was said to have contacted Chinese state positions and offered to pass on sensitive information to Chinese intelligence in 2024. He had apparently gathered this sensitive information from his work with the U.S. military.
Germany has warned of an increased amount of espionage from Beijing and has arrested multiple people this year on suspicion of spy activities. Earlier this year, three Germans and one European Union staffer were arrested in Germany on suspicion of handing over intelligence that has the potential to strengthen China's Navy and for allegedly working directly with Chinese intelligence, respectively.
Germany's news agency, DPA, reported that it appeared Martin D. had not successfully transmitted any sensitive information before his arrest. Authorities are currently searching his house for any additional evidence.
At this time, neither China nor the United States have responded regarding this arrest.
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