Suspected spy accused of giving info to Russian intelligence in Berlin

German prosecutors have charged a suspected spy for Russia with covert intelligence agent activity, accusing her of passing information to an intelligence operative at the Russian embassy.

The German-Ukrainian dual national, who has been in custody since January, allegedly provided the intelligence officer with tips about high-profile events and tried to recruit individuals from the Ministry of Defence and arms industry for her purposes.

The suspect, who has been in contact with the intelligence officer since at least October 2023, sought information on German defence policy and the arms industry in relation to Russia's war on Ukraine, with the courts now tasked with deciding whether the case should proceed to trial.

German prosecutors have filed charges against a suspected spy for Russia, accusing her of passing information to an intelligence operative at the Russian embassy.

Federal prosecutors based in Karlsruhe said on Monday she had been charged with covert intelligence agent activity.

The German-Ukrainian dual national was arrested in January and has been in custody since then.

The alleged agent is said to have been in contact with the intelligence officer since October 2023 at the latest.

"For years, the accused provided him with numerous tips about high-profile events and ensured that he was able to attend such events, in some cases under a false name," the prosecutors' statement said.

"This was intended to enable him to build his own network for intelligence purposes."

The suspect also tried to "recruit people from the Ministry of Defence and from the arms industry for her purposes," the prosecutors said.

Acting on behalf of the intelligence officer, she sought information on German defence policy and the arms industry, particularly in relation to Russia's war on Ukraine.

The courts must now decide whether the case should go to trial.