Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office said Thursday it had arrested a U.S. citizen, identified as Martin D., on suspicion of offering to spy for China.

“The accused is strongly suspected of having declared himself willing to carry out espionage activities for a foreign intelligence service,” prosecutors said in a statement.

The man was arrested in the western city of Frankfurt. Prosecutors said his apartment was also searched.

What are the accusations?

“Until recently, Martin D. worked for the U.S. military service in Germany,” prosecutors said. “In 2024, he contacted Chinese state officials and offered to send sensitive information belonging to the US military to an intelligence service in China.”

Prosecutors said he had acquired the data during his time working with the military. They did not say whether his offer had been accepted or whether he had provided any information.

The investigations were carried out in close coordination with Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, prosecutors said.

The suspect was expected to appear at an arraignment hearing following his arrest later Thursday.

msh/rmt (AFP, dpa, Reuters)

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