German court hears spy case involving Armenian, Russian, Ukrainian nationals

A court in Germany has begun hearings against three foreign nationals accused of spying on behalf of Russia.

The case is being heard at the State Security Senate of the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt am Main, according to a spokesperson for the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In May this year, Germany’s Federal Prosecutor charged Ukrainian citizen Robert A., Armenian citizen Vardges I., and Russian citizen Arman S. with working for a foreign intelligence service.

Authorities allege that in 2024, Vardges I. began monitoring a man in Germany who had served with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). Robert A. and Arman S. were reportedly recruited to assist in this surveillance.

According to the German Press Agency (DPA), the suspects planned to lure the former soldier to a café in Frankfurt on June 19 to gather further information. However, the man contacted law enforcement, preventing the meeting from taking place.

Vardges I.’s defence has denied the allegations in court, arguing that the prosecution misrepresented events and failed to consider alternative explanations.

All three men were detained on June 19, 2024 and remain in custody.

By Aghakazim Guliyev