A U.S. citizen, partially identified as Martin D., was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison for attempting to pass sensitive U.S. military information to Chinese intelligence while working as a civilian contractor at a U.S. base in Germany. The trial took place in Koblenz and was partly closed to the public due to the sensitive nature of the case. Prosecutors stated that between 2017 and 2023, Martin D. repeatedly contacted Chinese government agencies to offer classified information from his work with the U.S. Department of Defense. He had been stationed at a U.S. military base in Germany since at least 2020 and was arrested in Frankfurt in November 2024.
The case highlights Germany’s unique position as a host to over 35,000 U.S. troops and approximately 11,000 civilian contractors employed in logistics, catering, healthcare, and security. These bases, largely in western and southern Germany, continue to be key operational hubs for the U.S. military in Europe. The presence of sensitive military operations, however, also makes them targets for foreign intelligence operations.
Germany has recently experienced an uptick in espionage cases linked to both Russia and China. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Berlin has accused Moscow of “hybrid warfare,” including espionage and information manipulation. Meanwhile, relations with China have faced increased scrutiny. In one high-profile example, Jian Guo, a former aide to German far-right politician Maximilian Krah, was sentenced to over four years in prison for spying for China while working in Germany. These cases underscore the ongoing threat of foreign intelligence activity in Europe and the critical need for vigilance and robust counterintelligence measures.
The sentencing of Martin D. serves both as punishment and as a warning to individuals considering collaboration with foreign intelligence services. It highlights the complex security challenges faced by nations hosting foreign military forces and demonstrates the importance of maintaining strong counterespionage measures to protect sensitive information and safeguard national security.
