Three German nationals have been arrested on suspicion of working with the Chinese secret service to hand over technologies that could be used for military purposes, German prosecutors said on Monday.
The suspects were identified as Herwig F. and Ina F, a married couple who run a company in Dusseldorf, and Thomas R., whom prosecutors described as an agent for an employee of China's Ministry of State Security (MSS).
The Chinese contract partner was the MSS employee from whom Thomas R. received his orders, it added.
The suspects also purchased a special laser from Germany on behalf of and with payment from the MSS and exported it to China without authorisation, according to the prosecutors.
The Chinese embassy in Berlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Persons:
Herwig, Ina F, Thomas R, Olaf Scholz
Organizations:
China's Ministry of State Security, Russia
Locations:
Dusseldorf, Germany, China, Beijing, Europe, Berlin