Armenian national arrested in Germany over Russia espionage plot

Germany has charged three individuals with working for Russian intelligence services and preparing to commit murder, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Thursday.

According to investigators, Ukrainian citizen Robert A., Armenian citizen Varges I., and Russian citizen Arman S. were arrested in Frankfurt on June 19 last year. In line with German legal requirements, their full names were not disclosed.

Prosecutors believe the espionage operation targeted a Ukrainian national who fought with Ukraine’s armed forces after Russia’s 2022 invasion and now resides in Germany.

In early May 2024, Varges I. allegedly received instructions from Russian intelligence and enlisted two accomplices. They attempted to identify the individual and gather additional information by inviting him to a meeting at a café in central Frankfurt.

However, the meeting never took place as the potential victim had contacted police beforehand.