Germany’s internal security service BfV targeted two high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Economic Affairs who may have been spies for Russia. The two have cooperated on Germany’s energy policy, which makes the case sensitive.
German media reporting on the case, such as Handelsblatt and Die Zeit, questioned whether the ministry had been infiltrated by Russian secret services. The security department and service would not comment on the matter.
Internal doubt
According to sources, the ministry will notify the BfV when internal doubts arise about the integrity of the two officials. Suspicion began because the two took a pro-Russian stance on Germany’s energy and gas policies. These include issues such as the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline license, the nationalization of Gazprom Germania and the austerity of energy company Uniper.
In recent months, the internal security service has repeatedly warned about the dangers of possible Russian espionage practices. The BfV took longer to predict that Russia’s secret services would become more active because of, among other things, European sanctions against Russia.
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