A Russian scientist working in a German university was arrested on Friday on suspicion of spying on behalf of Moscow, the federal prosecutor's office announced on Monday.

The man, only presented by German justice as Ilnur N., is "strongly suspected at least since early October 2020 of having been employed by a Russian intelligence service", while he was working as a scientific assistant in a university German, according to the Karlsruhe prosecutor's office, in charge of espionage cases.

Meetings with a Russian intelligence agent

Between last October and June, he met "at least three times" an agent of the Russian foreign intelligence services, according to the same source. During at least two of these meetings, "he provided information" about the university and "received in return sums of money in cash." No other details were provided concerning this man or the German university in which he worked, the prosecution merely indicating that he was a scientific assistant "for a scientific-technical chair".

Neither Russia nor Germany reacted immediately, but relations between the two powers are strained, in particular because of the Ukrainian case or the accusations of cyberespionage against Moscow.

But it is above all the attempt to poison the opponent Alexeï Navalny last August, for which Moscow is held responsible by the West, which has contributed the most to deteriorating German-Russian relations.

Multiplication of cases in Europe

Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin also have a notoriously difficult relationship.

Russian intelligence services have experienced a strong resurgence in Europe in recent years, according to experts.

In early spring, Italy announced the expulsion of two Russian officials after the red-handed arrest of an Italian naval officer who handed over classified documents to a Russian serviceman.

Many Russian diplomats accused of espionage have been expelled in recent months from Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Austria, France, and even the Czech Republic.

Each time, Moscow reacted symmetrically while denouncing unfounded and "Russophobic" accusations.

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  • Spying

  • Industrial spying

  • World

  • Russia

  • Vladimir Poutine

  • Germany

  • Angela Merkel