German authorities have filed charges against a U.S. citizen alleging espionage activities conducted on behalf of China. Prosecutors announced Monday that sufficient evidence suggests the individual offered to work as an intelligence agent for a foreign intelligence service in a particularly serious case.
The accused worked as a contractor for a civilian partner of the U.S. Department of Defense from 2017 until early 2023. Beginning in 2020, they were stationed at a U.S. military base in Germany. Authorities allege that, beginning in the summer of 2024, the individual repeatedly contacted Chinese state institutions and offered to transmit sensitive information belonging to the U.S. military.
The individual has been in custody since November 7, 2024, following an arrest warrant issued by an investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice. The prosecution is being pursued before the State Security Senate of the Koblenz Higher Regional Court.
