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Crime

German police arrest wannabe spy

February 9, 2018

The man applied to three international spy agencies, seeking employment as an agent. The application letters show the aspiring spy thought he had much to offer to his eventual employers.

https://p.dw.com/p/2sQEk
Shadow of a man wearing a hat
Image: Imago/Steinach

German authorities arrested a man who offered to work as a spy for three foreign intelligence agencies.

The 27-year-old German, arrested Wednesday in Leipzig, was identified only as Danny Günter G, in line with German privacy laws.

Prosecutors did not identify the three secret services the man had applied to.

In his application letters to the three spy agencies, the man wrote that "he was prepared, if recruited, to carry out any activities asked of him," including procurement and disclosure of information.

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The prosecutors said on Friday that Günter G. was released but is still under investigation for showing his willingness to carry out espionage on behalf of foreign countries.

German law provides for an imprisonment of up to five years or a fine for someone willing to work for a foreign secret service.

ap/sms (AP, dpa)