Munich Court Convicts Three Men for Russian Espionage, Sentences Up to Six Years

A Munich court convicted three men, all holding dual German-Russian citizenship, for spying on behalf of Russia and plotting sabotage in Germany. The primary defendant, a 41-year-old man identified as Dieter S., was sentenced to six years in prison for espionage, involvement in paramilitary activities in eastern Ukraine, and planning attacks on German military infrastructure and railways. His two accomplices received suspended sentences of six months and one year, respectively, for aiding in intelligence transmission to Russian security services. The court highlighted that the defendants aimed to spread fear to influence political decisions against supporting Ukraine amidst Russia's ongoing invasion. Despite their claims that discussions of spying were jokes, evidence showed direct contacts between the main defendant and Russian intelligence. This case reflects broader European concerns about Russian espionage efforts to destabilize support for Ukraine.