German intelligence officer denies Russia spying charges

A former German intelligence officer accused of handing information to Moscow that showed Berlin had access to details of Russian mercenary operations in Ukraine denied the charges Wednesday.

The defendant, named only as Carsten L., rejected the accusations, his lawyer Johannes Eisenberg told the court in Berlin.

Carsten L. had neither betrayed nor intended to betray the Germany’s BND foreign intelligence service, Eisenberg said.

Between September and October 2022, Carsten L. is alleged to have printed out or taken screenshots of nine internal BND files.

According to prosecutors, the documents were transferred to Arthur E., who is on trial alongside Carsten L.

Arthur E. is said to have carried digital copies to Moscow, printed them out and turned them over to Russia’s FSB security agency.

For their services, the FSB is said to have paid Carsten L. at least 450,000 euros ($478,750) and Arthur E. at least 400,000 euros.

The highly sensitive trial is being held under tight security, with some sessions closed to the public to prevent leaks.

The information allegedly passed to Moscow concerned the activities of the Wagner paramilitary group, Eisenberg said previously.

According to a report by German weekly Spiegel, the BND had access to a messaging app used by the group led by warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin, which has fought alongside Russia’s regular troops in Ukraine.

The pair face charges of high treason and if found guilty, could be jailed for life.