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German officials have announced the arrest of a US citizen on suspicion of attempting to provide classified information to Chinese intelligence.

What’s the deal: According to German authorities, the individual arrested, identified only as Martin D, is a 37-year-old civilian contractor who previously worked for the US military in Germany. Officials claim that Martin D approached Chinese intelligence officials earlier in 2024, offering to share sensitive information concerning US military operations in Germany.

Getting into it: German authorities began monitoring Martin D after receiving intelligence from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, which had detected potential foreign espionage activities. Surveillance of Martin D. was conducted by the German Federal Criminal Police Office, which closely tracked his communications and movements as suspicions grew regarding his contact with Chinese intelligence. Following this period of surveillance, a raid was carried out on Martin D.’s residence, where authorities searched for any documents or electronic devices that could confirm his intent to pass US military intelligence to foreign agents.

While specific details of the raid remain undisclosed, the German prosecutor’s office confirmed that he would be “charged with offering himself as an agent to a foreign intelligence service.”