Germany hunts for ‘Russian spies’ in government – Zeit — Analysis

Economic Ministry officials are suspected of Kremlin sympathies over documents “deviating” from the government line
Germany’s counter-intelligence has been investigating two senior officials at the Ministry of Economic Affairs because Minister Robert Habeck suspected them of being Russian spies, the weekly Zeit reported on Wednesday. According to the outlet, this revelation is “a shocking and unexpected development.” “explosive”The ability to have the “makings of a political scandal.”
Habeck, along with his associates, reached the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (“Verfassungsschutz”) sometime this spring. “inconsistencies in internal documents” related to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, natural gas in storage facilities, and the report on Germany’s energy security, Zeit wrote.
According to reports, the documents “oozed understanding”The arguments and point of view from Russia “often did not match the government’s official line,”The weekly. The officers allegedly “deviated” from Habeck’s position on halting the certification of Nord Stream 2, the status of Gazprom Germany, as well as the bailout of the gas supplier Uniper.
BfV was reportedly discovered by checking into officials. “biographical anomalies,”In one instance, a Russian study trip. “emotional closeness to Russia” – but nothing more substantial. Zeit shares these words: “no solid evidence has been found”Espionage and corruption. There wasn’t even probable cause to wiretap their phones, read their emails, or put the two officials under surveillance.

The officials were not named by the BfV or Zeit, in consideration of the “nightmare” underwent by diplomat Gerhard Sabathil in 2020. Although he was not charged with spying for China, his reputation has been damaged beyond repair.
Germany’s dependence on cheap Russian energy to fuel its industries has been long. Habeck announced that a new special gas tax was being implemented in August 15th. “failed and is not coming back.”
Many of the people involved in energy management are described as civil servants with top ministerial officials. “east-leaning,”One or two may not have yet. “completed the mental turn,” Zeit speculated.
Although the investigation remains ongoing, both possible outcomes could spell trouble for the government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Habeck is correct and both men are innocent “Kremlin moles,”Russia would then have infiltrated one of Berlin’s most important ministries. He will need to prove that he wasn’t lying and explain why he launched a witch hunt against the civil servants. Zeit pointed out that either way the investigation is. “likely to alienate”The bureaucracy.
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