Spying. Gerhard S., the German, European diplomat, who loved China a little too much
(B2 - exclusive) The man who is at the heart of a case of espionage in Germany on behalf of China is well known to European institutions. Double title
A faithful European servant
Of German nationality, Gerhard Sabathil was first a civil servant at the European Commission, in its representations in Oslo and Berlin, then as director of foreign policy coordination and strategy at DG Relex. In 2011, he became Director for North-East Asia and the Pacific in the brand new European External Action Service (EEAS), then was appointed, in July 2015, Head of Delegation and EU Ambassador. in Seoul, South Korea (read: Rotation 2015. Portrait of the new EEAS ambassadors). It was during his stay in Korea where he seriously slipped up, or at least his suspicions materialized. He then gives in to the Chinese temptation, out of love (1) or interest.
Leaks of confidential documents in Korea
It is the European authorities who detect, from 2016, the leak of certain documents, classified as confidential. All very 'sensitive' subjects for the Chinese, especially on human rights, which end up in the hands of the Chinese. The German authorities are alerted in turn. As a precaution, they withdrew the security clearance from the person concerned (2). This leads, in fact, to the cessation of his duties as ambassador. He was then called back to the EEAS headquarters in Brussels and carefully removed from any sensitive function. A measure that is similar to a sanction in the hushed world of diplomacy. The man only stayed a year and a half on site, instead of the usual three (or four) years.
Switched to lobbying, he continues to work for China
Having recognized the facts, and shelved, the German then chose to retire from the European institutions. He quickly incorporates the lobbying business Eutop, whose founder is Klemens Joos, a graduate (like him) of the University of Munich. A company that works with China has a subsidiary in Shanghai and an office in Beijing. G. is in his element. He soon resumed his Chinese acquaintances. Not only did he convey " since 2017 information to Chinese state security, but he has " recruited two people from another lobbying firm for his activities, according to the German media Der Spiegel.
Under federal investigation, searches in Berlin and Brussels
The apartments and offices of the three defendants in Germany (in Berlin, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria) as well as in Belgium (in Brussels) have just been searched by the police since the early hours of the morning on Wednesday ( January 15). Visits carried out on the instructions of the German Federal Attorney General Peter Frank, which opened an investigation against the former European official, and his two co-religionists, for acts of espionage for the benefit of China.
European authorities ready to cooperate
According to our information, the place in Brussels searched, with the assistance of the Belgian police, is the work office of the former European official. A private office, which is not a premises belonging to a European institution, said Virginie Battu, spokeswoman for the EEAS, during the midday press briefing. She didn't want to comment " further " the ongoing investigation "carried out by the German judicial authorities". " We never comment this type of fact. But we are of course always ready to cooperate with the national authorities of the Member States when they request it ».
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
- A woman who later became his companion.
- Every head of delegation has a security clearance in order to be able to access documents classified as confidential.
Mention of the name of the person concerned, which is now in the public domain
