The trial for the most serious espionage detected in the German secret services (BND) has begun at the Berlin Court of Appeal with the suspense of the best thriller. The hearing began an hour late due to tight security measures and was interrupted after about 20 very intense minutes. The Attorney General’s Office has asked the Court to consider closed-door hearings due to the load of confidential information that will come to light in the process. The president of the chamber and very experienced judge, Detlef Schmidt, has accepted the request. His decision will be transcendental.
In the dock sit Carsten L., a senior BND official, and, as an accomplice, the diamond merchant, Arthur E. They are accused of treason and sale of state secrets to the Russian intelligence services (FSB). Both have been detained since last year in Moabit prison in separate modules. They will also continue the trial separately, each in a glass cabin and separated from each other – and from their lawyers – by about two meters.
Carsten L., 53 years old, chose a dark blue jacket and light blue shirt for his first appearance. He seemed like a businessman, but when asked about his profession, he responded with James Bond syntax: “Soldier. Professional soldier.” He had been in BND service since 2007, first on technical reconnaissance and more recently, before his arrest, as head of sensitive security unit personal.
Arthur E., 32 years old, opted for a black shirt. He seemed unconcerned and even joked with his defense attorneys. At this first hearing he has decided to remain silent. He has already testified in the interrogations and the court has scheduled 50 sessions, until next July.
A stony silence prevails when the attorney general, Lars Malskies, proceeds to read of the indictment, who suddenly interrupts. Malskies considers that the details contained in the last pages of his writing are especially sensitive and asks that journalists and the public present in the room be excluded from these passages. Is about state secrets revealed to Russia in the fall of 2022, in the middle of the Ukrainian war.
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