Latest news with #ForeignTradeAct
Local Germany
13-05-2025
- Local Germany
Three Germans accused of spying for China go on trial
The defendants are a married couple identified only as Herwig F. and Ina F., aged 73 and 69, and another man, 60-year-old Thomas R., on trial in the western city of Düsseldorf. The three were arrested in April of last year. The couple were provisionally released in October, while Thomas R. remains in custody. Prosecutors say they collected information on technology including boat engines, sonar systems, propulsion systems for armoured vehicles and military-grade drones. They allegedly gathered the intelligence from February 2017 until their arrest. Prosecutors accuse the three of obtaining the information for the Chinese intelligence agency MSS, with a special focus on intelligence China deemed useful to build up its maritime combat power. The trio allegedly used the couple's company to build contacts with business enterprises and scientific institutions. The couple also entered a cooperation agreement with a German university on a scientific transfer programme with a study focused on components used in, among other things, ship engines. Advertisement On behalf of the Chinese intelligence agency, the three defendants also procured three special lasers from Germany and exported them to China in breach of an EU ban on exporting dual-use systems. In addition to working for a foreign intelligence agency, the trio is also accused of violations of the Foreign Trade Act.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
German authorities investigating assets of sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Spiegel reports
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is under investigation for undeclared assets in Germany, Spiegel reported on Feb. 8, citing the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor's Office. Abramovich is widely known as the former owner of the Chelsea soccer club. The allegedly up to $1.2 billion in unpaid taxes in the U.K., a media investigation has found. The has imposed sanctions on Abramovich, requiring the billionaire to declare his assets. If found guilty, Abramovich could face hefty fines or up to a year in prison for failing to report his assets. Luxury cars including two Bugatti Chirons, a Lamborghini Reventon, and a Mercedes CLK GTR have been frozen while authorities in Germany investigate, Spiegel . Several pieces of artwork have been confiscated from a villa in Bavaria that persecutors allege belong to Abramovich. The billionaire's lawyers maintain Abramovich is not the owner of the villa or the frozen luxury cars. When reached for comment by Spiegel, the Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed it was investigating a "58-year-old businessman from the Russian Federation" under the country's Foreign Trade Act, although did not confirm directly that it was Abramovich. Abramovich was sanctioned by the EU and the U.K. following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The billionaire unsuccessfully for the sanctions to be removed in 2023. Abramovich was forced to sell the Chelsea soccer club he once owned due to sanctions. U.K. lawmakers have called for assets from the sale to be on Ukraine aid. Read also: Russian oligarch Abramovich underpays $1.2 billion to UK in taxes, media investigation says We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
