German authorities announced that this month they arrested a Russian scientist on charges of spying for Russia.
The suspect worked as a research assistant to a professor in the field of science and technology at the University of Augsburg, Germany, according to German prosecutors.
The prosecution added that the arrested man met a Russian intelligence agent at least 3 times in the past and current years, and provided him with information in exchange for money.
Federal prosecutors said in a statement that the suspect, identified as “Elnor N”, was arrested last Friday on suspicion of “working for the Russian intelligence service since early October 2020 at the latest.”
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The case comes in light of the tense relations between Russia and Germany following several files, including the imprisonment of Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny, who underwent treatment in Berlin after being poisoned that nearly killed him.
The government of German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also worked to maintain the sanctions regime imposed on Moscow over its annexation of the Crimea, where fighting continues between pro-Russian separatists and the Ukrainian army.
However, despite international criticism, Berlin has pushed ahead with its plan to complete the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which is expected to double natural gas supplies from Russia to Germany.