Unraveling the Allegations: BND Employee and Accomplice on Trial for Espionage
The German federal prosecutor's office is accusing a former BND (Federal Intelligence Service) employee and a businessman of treason. The high-security trial commenced on Wednesday in Berlin, with both defendants facing serious charges related to espionage activities in favor of Russia.
The Indictments and Accusations
The duo is alleged to have shared classified information with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in two separate instances around fall 2022. This period coincided with the start of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The prosecutor's office claims that the defendants, Carsten L., a BND employee, and Arthur E., a 32-year-old diamond dealer, received payment for their services. Carsten L. received 450,000 euros, while Arthur E. is believed to have earned at least 400,000 euros.
Carsten L. is said to have printed or photographed top-secret internal BND documents through his workstations at various locations — including Berlin and Pullach near Munich. Arthur E., being an alleged accomplice, then passed on these secret intelligence to the FSB and reportedly had several meetings with their employees in Moscow. These meetings were supposedly organized by a Russian businessman known to Arthur E., whose travel expenses were funded by him.
The Arrests and Investigation
Carsten L. was captured in Berlin on December 21, 2022, and ensuing investigations led to the discovery of his secretive activities. His residence and work premises were thoroughly searched, and Arthur E. was subsequently apprehended as a suspected accomplice upon his arrival at Munich Airport from the United States in January 2023. The investigation was carried out with the assistance of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Both have been in custody ever since.
The Court Proceedings and Security Measures
The trial is expected to span over 51 days, ending in July 2024, with possible in-camera sessions due to high-security protocols involving concealed information. Strict safety measures are in place, prohibiting mobile devices, laptops, and personal belongings such as watches or jewelry within the courtroom.
This is not the first time such stringent security measures have been implemented during high-profile intelligence service-related trials in Germany. For instance, similar strictures were set during the 2017 Trinh Xuan Thanh kidnapping trial.
Historical Context
The BND, the foreign intelligence service of Germany, comprises approximately 6,500 professionals monitoring global developments and policy concerns with significant impacts on national security. The agency has dealt with security breaches in the past, as exemplified by the 2014 case involving a 32-year-old office administrator convicted of treason for passing on confidential BND documents to the CIA.
The BND and the German government have gone through a transformation following this case, focusing on strengthening security measures to prevent future leaks.
Looking Forward
If found guilty, both defendants may face up to life imprisonment as per the German Criminal Code, especially considering their positions of responsibility. Konstantin von Notz, the Green Party's deputy leader, sees this case as a "massive failure in self-security" within intelligence services and urges a comprehensive reevaluation of safety precautions. The trial has garnered extensive attention from international media, highlighting both the gravity of the allegations and the strict enforcement of the law in Germany.
