Russia arrests a German citizen on charges of sabotage – DW – 20/11/2024

The Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that a German citizen was arrested in Russia on Wednesday on suspicion of sabotage.

State media reported that the FSB detained a German citizen who was allegedly involved in the explosion at a gas distribution station in Kaliningrad in March 2024.

The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was kept informed about the case, but did not issue a direct comment on the charges and the man’s arrest.

A diplomatic source in Berlin told the French news agency AFP that German officials had contacted Russian agents on the matter.

“Our Consulate General in St. Petersburg is in contact with the Russian authorities and has offered consular assistance,” the source said.

What we know so far

The 57-year-old German was also accused of organizing “acts of sabotage against local energy infrastructure,” as reported by Russian news agencies, citing the FSB statement.

The man, reportedly living in Hamburg, was detained at the border with Kaliningrad. According to Russian state media reports, a search of his car revealed half a liter of explosives.

He is being held in custody on charges of terrorism and smuggling of explosives. According to reports, Russian authorities are looking for possible accomplices.

According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the man received an order from the Ukrainian to carry out an unspecified attack.

The lowest point in German-Russian relations

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, relations between Russia and Germany, as well as other NATO countries, have reached their worst point in decades.

Russian authorities have repeatedly arrested foreigners on hotly contested charges, including in several incidents that Western governments have characterized as false or fabricated cases.

mk/sms (Reuters, AFP, dpa)