Court of Appeal - Trial against BND employee on suspicion of espionage continues
The trial against an employee of the Federal Intelligence Service for alleged espionage for Russia will continue on Thursday (9.30 a.m.). The Berlin Court of Appeal will then announce whether the trial will continue with an audience.
On Wednesday, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office had requested that the public be excluded after reading out part of the indictment. Further details were said to require special secrecy. The defence sharply criticized this. In order for the public to be able to assess the case, a public hearing was necessary.
The accused are BND employee Carsten L. (53), who has been sworn to secrecy since 2007, and a 32-year-old businessman as an alleged accomplice. The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office accuses them of treason in a particularly serious case. The two Germans are in custody.
"There is no objective evidence whatsoever that the treason that is the subject of the indictment took place," explained the defense lawyer for the BND employee, Johannes Eisenberg, in a statement at the start of the trial on Wednesday. According to him, his client has so far remained silent about the allegations. The co-defendant, on the other hand, is said to have made a comprehensive statement.
Court statement on the trial Statement on the indictment 8.9.2023 Criminal Code on treason Criminal Code on state secrets Criminal Code on complicity Information on the BND Statement on the arrest of Artur E. Statement on the arrest of Carsten L.
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- The allegations of espionage against a BND employee, Carsten L., and his alleged accomplice, have sparked concerns in Germany, particularly in light of the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine.
- The trial, taking place at the Berlin Court of Appeal, is a critical process in determining the guilt or innocence of these individuals, with potential consequences for Germany's relationship with Russia.
- While the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has requested certain details be kept confidential due to national security concerns, the defense argues that public hearings are necessary for transparency and a fair assessment of the case.
- The accused have been remanded in custody since their arrests, with Carsten L. having been sworn to secrecy as a BND employee since 2007.
- The case has brought attention to the role of intelligence agencies in conflict-ridden regions, such as Ukraine, and the potential for espionage activities by foreign powers, like Russia, to influence such situations.
- The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for Germany's intelligence agencies, particularly the BND, and its diplomatic relations with Russia, potentially affecting internal processes and future operations.
Source: www.stern.de
