German authorities arrested a U.S. citizen on Thursday on suspicion of attempting to share sensitive U.S. military intelligence with China, information he allegedly gathered while working for American forces stationed in Germany.
The suspect, identified only as Martin D. in accordance with German privacy laws, is accused of declaring his willingness to work as an agent for a foreign intelligence service, federal prosecutors said in a statement.
Prosecutors said the man, who had recently worked for U.S. armed forces in Germany, contacted Chinese state representatives in 2024 and offered to provide them with classified information obtained through his military work for transmission to Chinese intelligence services.
The arrest marks the latest in a series of German counterintelligence operations targeting alleged Chinese espionage activities. German officials have repeatedly warned of increasing spying efforts by Beijing within their borders.
Earlier this year, German authorities arrested three of their own citizens on suspicion of attempting to transfer technology that could enhance China’s naval capabilities. In a separate case, they detained a European Union employee working for a far-right politician over alleged collaboration with Chinese intelligence.
