Report on Attack Plan - Saxony's Interior Minister: Services need more authorizations
In light of alleged Russian plans against Rheinmetall's CEO, the call for more Authorities for German security agencies is growing louder. According to information from the US cable news network CNN, American intelligence services have uncovered the plot.
Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster of the CDU told the "Bild" newspaper (Saturday): "I have major problems with the fact that we permanently need information from abroad." At the local security agencies, "they have the tools to obtain these insights, for which I can't find political majorities here in Germany."
Western intelligence services generally generate a lot of leads in collaboration, as the former high-ranking employee of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) and current security expert Gerhard Conrad explained in the ARD "Tagesthemen". But it's also true that "German services are much more restricted in clarification, telecommunications clarification, and other areas." They cannot, unlike other services, especially the USA. "One must consider whether these goods exchanges, which were made in the past, are still valid today," he noted.
Schuster: High-risk to rely solely on foreign intelligence
According to Schusters and the Union's view, necessary are the data retention, i.e. the storage of location and traffic data of telecommunications without a specific reason for anti-terror investigations; the so-called source telecommunications surveillance (source-TKÜ), which acts before or after encryption, as well as online searches. The Minister said: "These are the methods why the Americans can give us valuable information. But if we can't do anything - I consider that high-risk, to always rely on insights from abroad."
According to CNN, US intelligence services discovered plans of the Russian government to assassinate Rheinmetall's CEO, Armin Papperger, at the beginning of the year. The German side was informed, and the 61-year-old was subsequently provided with additional protection. Rheinmetall is one of the largest European suppliers of tank technology and artillery shells for the Ukraine. In June, the company opened a repair workshop for armored vehicles in western Ukraine. Plans also exist for the production of new tanks.
The President of the Thuringian Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Stephan Kramer, told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland: "We need more protective measures for critical infrastructure and relevant persons."
- The call for enhanced authorities in German security agencies is echoed amidst reports of alleged Russian attack plans against Rheinmetall, a prominent player in the armaments industry.
- The BND, Germany's federal intelligence service, has been limited in its capabilities compared to other countries' services, particularly the US, according to former high-ranking BND employee Gerhard Conrad.
- Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster of the CDU expressed concerns about relying solely on foreign intelligence for critical insights, suggesting the need for stronger domestic security measures.
- Schuster advocated for data retention, source telecommunications surveillance, and online searches, citing these methods as critical to obtaining valuable information from foreign partners.
- According to CNN, US intelligence services uncovered a Russian government plan to assassinate Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger back in January.
- Subsequent to this revelation, Papperger was provided with additional security due to the threat, given Rheinmetall's significant role in supplying armaments to Ukraine.
- The President of Thuringia's Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Stephan Kramer, underscored the importance of strengthening protective measures for critical infrastructure and relevant individuals.
- Kramer's call for enhanced security comes as Germany grapples with potential threats, especially in light of conflicts in countries like Ukraine.
- Criminality within Russia's military or intelligence apparatus may have contributed to this alleged attack plan, underlining the importance of collaboration between security services to combat such threats.
- As Germany navigates these complex issues, lawmakers and security experts must engage in open dialogue and collaborative efforts to ensure the country's safety and security.
- The wider media landscape, including CNN and German outlets like Tagesthemen, plays a crucial role in disseminating information on these pressing matters, fostering transparency and public understanding of the country's security challenges.
