The Federal Office for the Protection of the German Constitution (BfV) suspects two members of the Federal Ministry of Economics of spying for Russia. These officials work in a particularly sensitive area related to energy policy.
It is reported that the Ministry of Economy just became suspicious of these two officials and passed the information to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The journalists learned about it from their own sources in security circles.
Why officials were suspected of espionage
The Federal Ministry of Economics did not want to comment on the case. And the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution announced that it does not comment at all, even if they do not concern the case.
Meanwhile, sources say the officials came to attention after they took a clear pro-Russian stance on gas and energy policy. In particular, in such matters as the licensing of Nord Stream 2, intervention in the German Gazprom and the rescue of Uniper. As a result, the leadership of the ministry gave a cry to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which is responsible for counterintelligence.
The intelligence officers discovered “biographical anomalies”
The Office for the Protection of the Constitution checked the resumes of suspected ministry officials and identified “biographical anomalies”, in one case a study trip to Russia. They also considered private friendships and personal relationships with Russians. Although clear evidence of whether these officials are really spies has not yet been found.
In Germany, they began to admit that the Russians have deeply launched tentacles into the government
Roderich Kiswetter, deputy head of the secret service, is convinced that “this is just the tip of the iceberg.” He is confident that espionage will also affect other ministries and departments.
It can be assumed that Russia, with its hybrid approach and use of intelligence resources, has unfortunately been quite successful, especially in Germany,” he said.
Kieswetter added that he considered the story of espionage by these high-ranking officials plausible and stressed that the suspicion should be “immediately verified and clarified.”
At the same time, At the same time, member of the Inner Democratic Party Konstantin Kule called this suspicion a terrible fact and said that Germany's counterintelligence capabilities and priorities “are in dire need of revision.”
And journalists note that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has repeatedly pointed out the danger Russian espionage in the country.
By the way, the other day in Germany, searches were carried out in the companies Riol Chemie GmbH and RR Rhein Reserve. They are suspected of selling chemicals for chemical and biological weapons.
