Overview

• The Munich Higher Regional Court has started the trial of three German-Russian dual nationals accused of espionage and sabotage for Russian intelligence.
• The lead defendant, Dieter S., also faces terrorism charges for alleged involvement with the 'Volksrepublik Donezk' separatist group in Eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2016.
• Prosecutors allege the trio planned arson and explosive attacks targeting military infrastructure, railway lines, and sites like a Bavarian oil refinery and the US military base in Grafenwöhr.
• The defense denies espionage claims, arguing the defendants engaged in private conversations or role-played as spies without actual connections to Russian intelligence.
• The trial consolidates two indictments from October and December 2024, with a verdict expected by late December 2025 following over 40 scheduled hearings.