The German-Afghan man is accused of passing state secrets to the Iranian secret service while working as a translator and consultant to the German military. He faces charges of treason and violating state secrets.
Image: Bundeswehr/Tom Twardy
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The trial of a suspected spy for Iranian intelligence begins Monday in the western German city of Koblenz.
"Abdul S. is strongly suspected of abusing his position as a civilian employee of the Bundeswehr to pass on military state secrets to a member of the Iranian secret service," court documents stated.
The suspect's wife will also stand trial, facing charges of aiding and abetting the activities of her husband. The 16 days of trial allocated for her, however, will take place in March.
Behind closed doors
Abdul S. worked for the Bundeswehr in the small town of Daun, in the Eifel region in western Germany, before he was arrested in January 2019.
Due to the sensitive nature of the accusations, the trial will be held behind closed doors. Members of the public may not attend parts of the trial where accusations regarding the official secrets were referenced.
The man has not yet entered a plea, said the court.
According to information from Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Iranian secret service is always on the lookout for "suitable informants to meet the requirements of the Iranian government."
Inside Germany's new spy HQ
The German Intelligence Agency (BND) has relocated to its massive new base in the capital after decades in provincial Pullach. The move is hugely symbolic for a country long skeptical of spy agencies.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Kappeler
In the heart of Berlin
Decorated with steel palm trees, the new BND headquarters sits right where the Berlin Wall used to bisect the city. The move signals a major symbolic change for Germany, no longer shying away from taking a prominent role on the global stage.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/K. Nietfeld
Palatial grounds
The limestone and aluminum-fronted complex covers 10 hectares (25 acres) and cost €1.1 billion ($1.25 billion). It is one of the world's largest secret service bases.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Kappeler
The thing
A huge monolith called "The Thing" (Das Ding) adorns the central courtyard of the new headquarters. The work was created by the Düsseldorf-based artist Stefan Sous, whose massive sculptures can be found in public squares thoughout Germany.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Kappeler
A glimpse inside
There are plans to open a visitors center at the new BND headquarters. This marks a massive shift for a populace that has long been suspicious of intelligence agencies, with memories of the Gestapo and the Stasi still alive. "A healthy distrust is helpful, but being overly suspicious is a hindrance," Chancellor Angela Merkel said at the opening.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M Kappeler
Keeping tabs on time
The clock in the situation room shows the time in New York, London, Berlin, Moscow and Beijing. The building itself, however, did not open on time. A series of delays, mishaps and cost overruns. The inauguration in February 2019 came more than 12 years after construction began.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Kappeler
The situation room
Around 4,000 of the BND's 6,500 secret service agents work in the huge new building. Merkel stressed that Germany "needs a strong and efficient foreign intelligence service more than ever." International terrorism, global organized crime structures, as well as cybersecurity and nuclear proliferation are among the challenges the BND is looking to target.
