Six suspected spies have been arrested in quick succession. Security services see links to the war against Ukraine, economic interests and a war on democracy.

The press office of Germany’s Federal Prosecutor is a hive of activity these days: “Arrest for suspected secret service agent activity” — read the headline of a press release from April 23, 2024. A press release from the day before had exactly the same headline.

All four suspects — three men and one woman — are alleged to have spied for China.

“We must finally understand that this is a very serious and very real threat to our security,” said Green Party lawmaker Konstantin von Notz who heads the Parliamentary Control Committee for the Intelligence Services in the lower house, the Bundestag.

“We must act quickly and decisively both through criminal prosecution and by uncovering the structures and networks,” he added.