The Federal Prosecutor of Germany has confirmed the arrest of three German citizens for their suspected role in transferring research on state-of-the-art machine parts for ship engines to China's secret service.

On Monday, the German Federal Prosecutor's office disclosed that three German nationals had been arrested on strong suspicion of working for a Chinese secret service. According to prosecutors, these individuals might have been engaged in research projects beneficial for China's maritime power expansion.

Herwig F., Ina F., and Thomas R. were apprehended by officers of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) in the western German cities of Düsseldorf and Bad Homburg.

Their residences and workplaces underwent thorough searches.

The charges pertain to espionage activities "at a point in time that cannot be precisely determined before June 2022."

Thomas R. is alleged to have acted as an agent for an employee of the Chinese secret service MSS. He purportedly acquired information regarding innovative technologies with potential military applications.

Prosecutors assert that he utilized Herwig F. and Ina F., who operated a company in Düsseldorf, to obtain this information.

The company allegedly served as a conduit for engaging with German scientists and researchers.

The couple purportedly brokered a deal with a German university on behalf of a Chinese partner concerning cutting-edge machine parts designed for high-performance ship engines, potentially for use in combat vessels.

Allegedly, the duo violated the German Foreign Trade and Payments Act. Chinese state authorities purportedly funded the project. One of the accused reportedly engaged in further negotiations regarding additional research projects for the Chinese navy.

Prosecutors claim that this individual purchased a specialized laser from Germany, financed by the MSS, and exported it to China without authorization, despite it falling under the European Union's Dual-Use Regulation.

Last week, police in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth arrested two men on suspicion of espionage for Russia and allegedly attempting to undermine German support for Ukraine.