GB Arrested for Alleged Intelligence Operations
In a significant development, the Federal Prosecutor's Office (GBA) in Germany has filed charges against three individuals suspected of being actively involved in a foreign intelligence service. The accused, Ukrainian national Robert A., Armenian national Vardges I., and Russian national Arman S., were arrested on June 19, 2024, and remain in custody.
According to the indictment submitted on May 16, 2025, Vardges I. recruited Robert A. and Arman S. to spy on a man residing in Germany who had previously fought for the Ukrainian armed forces. The charges, which are related to a foreign intelligence service, are classified as particularly serious under German law (ยง 99 Abs. 1 Nr. 1, Abs. 2 Satz 1 StGB).
The espionage operation, which potentially aimed at the target's assassination, may have been a precursor to further intelligence operations in Germany. Vardges I. received an order from a Russian intelligence agency in early May 2024 to spy on the target. The order involved luring the target to a meeting at a cafe in Frankfurt am Main's city center on June 19, 2024. However, the specific nature of the alleged activities within the foreign intelligence service is not specified in the provided paragraph.
The target had previously contacted German police authorities, preventing an encounter from taking place. The alleged involvement of the accused, Robert A., Vardges I., and Arman S., was to identify the target and gather more information about them.
The case is being handled by the Federal Prosecutor's Office, and the charges were filed before the State Protection Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main. The accused were present to identify the target and gather more information about them.
For further inquiries, contact information for the Federal Prosecutor's Office (GBA) is provided. The location of the court hearing is the State Protection Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main. The arrests and charges highlight the ongoing efforts by German authorities to protect the country's national security and prevent foreign interference.
