A member of Germany’s Bundeswehr went on trial in Düsseldorf for espionage activities on behalf of Russia, admitting to spying and leaking state secrets, Deutsche Welle reports.
The officer, a captain at the Bundeswehr’s equipment facility in Koblenz with ties to the far-right AfD party, claimed he feared nuclear escalation amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, prompting him to provide information to a Russian intelligence service. The defendant allegedly made repeated offers to cooperate with Russian authorities starting in May 2023, providing sensitive information during meetings at Russia’s consulate in Bonn and the embassy in Berlin. Prosecutors accused him of photographing training documents related to munitions systems and aircraft technology and dropping them off at the Russian consulate.
Despite no evidence of payment, the officer admitted to the charges, citing his concern for his family’s safety. He stated that content on TikTok, including that of a pro-Russian influencer affiliated with AfD, influenced his actions. He expressed regret, attributing his behavior to a bad mental state.
