‘Russian sleeper cell’: Can Germany’s far-right AfD be barred from sensitive intel?
The prospect of an AfD-led government in Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt has exacerbated long-standing fears that the far-right Russia-friendly party may gain access to sensitive information of interest to the Kremlin, fuelling debate as to whether and how it can be barred from classified intelligence.
The possibility of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leading a government in Saxony-Anhalt has raised concerns about access to sensitive information. Some fear the party's ties to Russia may allow the Kremlin to gain access to classified intelligence.
Germany's Foreign Ministry recently closed the Russian House in Berlin, Russia's largest cultural center abroad, after a drone attack on Leipzig Airport was attributed to Russian sabotage. The drone attack occurred in early August, with a DHL cargo plane approaching Leipzig Airport having to climb sharply when the airport unexpectedly closed.
The closure of the Russian House was announced by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticizing the decision. According to Meduza, the Russian House had operated in Berlin for over 40 years, even after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, before being shut down.
Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, Meduza (English) — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Berlin’s ‘Russian House’ stayed open despite Russia’s war in Ukraine and EU sanctions, shielded by a reciprocal deal over Moscow’s Goethe-Institut. Germany’s sabotage accusation was the final straw. meduza.io
- Trump declines to say if Ukraine can manufacture Patriot missiles to fend off Russian attacks egyptindependent.com
- Russian foreign minister rejects Berlin's call to abandon 'dangerous' escalation euronews.com
- Putin’s G20 invitation could open path to serious Ukraine talks — German foreign minister english.nv.ua
