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Germany Charges Three Men With Spying for Russia and Plotting Contract Killing of Ukrainian Ex-Soldier
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Three men originally from Armenia, Russia, and Ukraine have been charged with acting on behalf of a Russian intelligence service in Germany under particularly grave circumstances that may have involved plans for a contract killing, according to DW on December 10.
On Tuesday, 9 December, the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt am Main opened proceedings against the three defendants, who, according to prosecutors, carried out espionage activities for Russia. Investigators believe the suspects were preparing to assassinate a specific individual, a representative of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office said while reading out the indictment. The defendants—Vardges I., Robert A., and Arman S.—hold citizenship of Armenia, Ukraine, and Russia respectively.
All three were arrested on 19 June by investigators from the criminal police office of the state of Hesse. Within 24 hours, they were brought before an investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice, who issued arrest warrants for each of them. According to the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, the suspects had entered Germany on assignment from a foreign intelligence service to gather “information about a Ukrainian national residing in Germany.” On the day of their arrest, they were surveilling a café in Frankfurt where the target was expected to appear.
Prosecutors allege that in May 2024, 43-year-old Vardges I. was tasked by a Russian intelligence service with spying on “a man from Ukraine” living in Germany. After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, this individual had fought in the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Russia has accused him of committing “war crimes,” including alleged involvement in the execution of captured Russian soldiers, and subsequently assigned the operation to the Armenian national. Court documents indicate that Vardges I. recruited two accomplices to carry out the mission.
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In June 2024, the target was invited to a Frankfurt café under false pretenses, where the defendants were supposed to obtain “more detailed information” about him. However, the former soldier had already alerted German police, and the operation was thwarted, prosecutors note. According to the dpa agency, an investigation involving this individual is also ongoing in Germany.
Information presented in court suggests the espionage activities were likely intended as preparation for further operations by Russian intelligence services in Germany—up to and including murder. The defendants have remained in pre-trial detention since their arrest.
According to dpa, the attorneys representing Vardges I. rejected the charges in court.
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They argued that the evidence is incomplete and that potential alternative explanations had not been investigated. The alleged link between the purported mastermind and the Russian intelligence service is also unclear, and his behavior on the evening in question “does not resemble that of a professional intelligence operative,” one lawyer stated.
The attorney for Robert A., the Ukrainian citizen, likewise dismissed the charges on behalf of his client. He called the accusation that his client worked for “Russia, the aggressor” offensive.
Earlier, Financial Times reported that Russia’s recent sabotage campaign in Europe, previously viewed as isolated incidents, is now raising concerns about a potential strategic escalation ahead of a possible full-scale war against Europe. Experts believe the series of attacks, ranging from bomb plots targeting logistics centers to drone incursions, may be preparing the ground for broader military actions.
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
