German arrested at Munich airport on suspicion of allegedly passing on intelligence to Russia

The prosecutor general’s office said on Thursday that a German citizen was arrested at Munich airport on suspicion of treason for allegedly conspiring with an intelligence service employee to pass on intelligence to Russia.

The man, identified as Arthur E., was arrested on Sunday upon his arrival in Germany from the United States, according to a statement from the prosecutor.

He is claimed to be an associate of Carsten L., a German foreign intelligence service (BND) employee who was arrested in December on suspicion of espionage for Russia.

According to the prosecutor’s statement, Arthur E., who is not a German intelligence employee, is suspected of passing on information gained from Carten L. to the Russian intelligence service.

An arrest warrant had already been issued for Arthur E., who appeared before a judge of Germany’s highest criminal court on Monday and was remanded in custody, according to the statement.

The inquiry was carried out in close collaboration with the BND and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), according to the prosecutor.