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German Triple Agent Given Eight Years In Prison


Markus Reichel was employed at the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) since 2007, working in the mail room where he had access to classified documents.
Markus Reichel was employed at the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) since 2007, working in the mail room where he had access to classified documents.

Germany has sentenced a former intelligence employee for spying for the United States and Russia.

A Munich court found Markus Reichel guilty of treason on March 17.

The 32-year-old admitted handing over more than 200 documents over four years to the CIA in exchange for at least 80,000 euros ($90,000). The documents included the real and cover names and addresses of German agents abroad.

He also gave three documents to the Russian secret service.

Reichel had been employed at the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) since 2007, working in the mail room where he had access to classified documents.

"No one trusted me with anything at the BND. At the CIA it was different," he told the court at the opening of his trial in November.

Reichel was uncovered and arrested in 2014 after his e-mail to the Russians, with classified documents attached, was intercepted.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

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