British man arrested in Germany on suspicion of spying for Russia
11 August 2021, 09:59 | Updated: 11 August 2021, 16:29
A British man who works at the UK embassy in Berlin has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia, German prosecutors have said.
The 57-year-old, named only as "David S", was arrested on Tuesday as part of a joint investigation with German police and the Met's Counter Terrorism Command.
Prosecutors in Germany said he provided documents he gained during his work at the embassy to a representative of Russian intelligence at least once.
The Met said he was arrested in the Berlin area on suspicion of committing offences relating to being engaged in "intelligence agent activity" under German law.
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He was set to appear in front of a judge at the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe later on Wednesday.
Germany's Foreign Ministry said any espionage against an allied state is "unacceptable" and it was taking the case "very seriously" while the UK government declined to comment further as the investigation takes place.
Prosecutors said the suspect was arrested in Potsdam. Police carried out searches at his home and workplace.
He is suspected of having worked for a foreign secret service since at least November.
The statement said: "On at least one occasion he forwarded documents obtained in the course of his professional activities to a representative of a Russian intelligence service.
"In return for providing information, the accused received cash in a previously unknown amount."
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It is understood that British security services are considerably involved in the operation.
It comes amid rising tensions between the UK and Russia, with the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Defender having sailed through waters near the annexed Crimean peninsula in June. It got buzzed by Russian jets and vessels as it sailed on a freedom of navigation exercise.
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In 2018, the UK and its allies expelled scores of intelligence officers after former spy Sergei Skripal was poisoned in Salisbury.
The UK Government spokesman said: "An individual who was contracted to work for the Government was arrested yesterday by the German authorities.
"It would not be appropriate to comment further as there is an ongoing police investigation."
Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the case was a "serious breach" of national security.
"All measures must now be taken - urgently - to establish exactly what information has been passed to Russian intelligence and the impact this has on the UK, as well as that of our allies," he said.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said its Counter Terrorism Command is responsible for investigating alleged breaches of the Official Secrets Act.
"Primacy for the investigation remains with German authorities. Officers from the Counter Terrorism Command continue to liaise with German counterparts as the investigation continues," a spokesperson said.
