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Trial Against Alleged Russian Spies Begins In Germany


A pixilated picture of Andreas Anschlag (center), who has been accused along with his wife of spying for the Russian secret services in Germany.
A pixilated picture of Andreas Anschlag (center), who has been accused along with his wife of spying for the Russian secret services in Germany.
A married couple has gone on trial in Germany for allegedly spying for Russia.

Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag settled in what was then West Germany using false Austrian passports some 25 years ago.

They were arrested at their home in the western German city of Marburg in October 2011.

They are accused of providing secret information about German security policies and NATO operations to the Soviet Union, and then to Russia, and could face lengthy prison sentences.

As their trial opened in a court in Stuttgart on January 15, the pair denied charges of espionage but refused to make any other statements.

According to some reports, the suspects are Russian citizens.

No verdict is expected before June.

Based on reporting by AP, BBC, and ITAR-TASS

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