German Military Force - Air Force investigator concludes wiretapping matter by paying fine
According to sources, the Inspector General of the Air Force, Ingo Gerhartz, will face a disciplinary action over a recorded conversation about the Taurus missile with Russia. The General Lieutenant will have to pay a fine as a consequence, wrapping up the issue, confirms the German Press Agency. Under the regulations, any other punishments are out of the question. The Defense Committee was informed of the decision the day before.
Recently, an intelligence service in Russia intercepted a Webex call involving four high-ranking officers from the Air Force. The audio was made public, revealing discussions on potential deployment scenarios for the Taurus missile in Ukraine if it were to be transferred there. This incident sparked discussions in Germany and beyond back in March. It was also revealed that a Bundeswehr general committed a blunder in Singapore.
Previously, the Berlin public prosecutor's office concluded their investigation against Gerhartz. Their spokesperson stated, "There was no initial suspicion against the accused. More specifically, there were no signs of any premeditated actions from the accused. While negligence might be relevant from a disciplinary viewpoint, it's not punishable as a criminal offense."
Read also:
The German Armed Forces' Air Force is under scrutiny following a wiretapping incident involving high-ranking officers and the Taurus missile. In Berlin, the General Lieutenant Ingo Gerhartz will face disciplinary action for his role in the matter, resulting in a fine. This concludes the investigation, as per the German Press Agency, with any additional punishments being ruled out under regulations.
Russia's secret services intercepted a Webex call involving the German Armed Forces' officers discussing potential deployment scenarios for the Taurus missile in Ukraine. Although initially investigated by the Berlin public prosecutor's office, no initial suspicion or premeditated actions were found against Gerhartz. Instead, negligence might be relevant from a disciplinary perspective but not punishable as a criminal offense.
The Russian interception and subsequent public disclosure caused discussions in Germany and beyond earlier this year, also raising concerns over a Bundeswehr general's blunder in Singapore. In response, the Defense Committee was kept informed of the decisions and investigations related to this incident.
The German government's stance on dealing with severe offenders, Afghan deportations, and climate records was also addressed in recent news, providing a broader context to the German Armed Forces' situation.
This controversy over the German Armed Forces continues to be a prominent topic in the German Press Agency and broader media, with potential consequences for Germany's relations with other nations, including Russia.
