Germany rejects Russian warning after arrest of accused saboteurs

​​​​​​​By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Friday blasted Russian statements on the diplomatic fallout over the arrest of espionage suspects this week.

“These statements – including on social media – are wrong and we clearly reject the threat of consequences,” Christian Wagner, deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters in Berlin.

Two German-Russian citizens arrested in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth this week are said to have scouted out possible sabotage targets.

Summoned by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday afternoon, Russian Ambassador Sergei Nechayev was told that such activities should “stop immediately,” Wagner added.

The Russian Embassy sharply criticized the summoning of Nechayev, calling it “a blatant provocation” aimed at “stoking Russophobia.”

It added: “We have made it clear that any unfriendly actions towards Russia will not go without consequences.”

The suspects arrested this week, both German-Russian dual citizens, were allegedly involved in plans to attack military infrastructure and industrial sites, according to a statement by German federal prosecutors.

"The actions were intended in particular to undermine the military support provided by Germany to Ukraine against the Russian war of aggression," the prosecutors said.

The main suspect had collected information about potential attack targets, including US military facilities in Germany, the investigators said.

The 39-year-old was in contact with a person tied to a Russian secret service, and since last October, they had discussed possible sabotage actions in Germany, according to the investigators.

“The accused declared to his interlocutor that he was prepared to carry out arson and explosive attacks, primarily on military infrastructure and industrial sites in Germany,” the prosecutors said.

The suspect allegedly monitored potential targets, taking photos and videos of military equipment and their transfer routes, and passed the information onto Russian intelligence.

His colleague assisted him during some of these activities, according to prosecutors.