Intelligence Operations Accusations Led to Charges Against Individual (GBA)

Federal Court of Justice Prosecutor General Located in Karlsruhe

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2025 September 11 . 12:38 PM

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Intelligence operations individual indicted

Intelligence Operations Accusations Led to Charges Against Individual (GBA)

Youssef El A., a Moroccan national, is facing charges of espionage in Germany, according to a recent announcement by the Federal Prosecutor's Office (GBA). The indictment was filed with the State Protection Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf on May 21, 2025.

The crime of espionage, as outlined in Section 99 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), allegedly took place since at least January 2022. Youssef El A. is accused of spying on members of the Hirak movement, a pro-democracy movement in Western Sahara.

The GBA's press release No. 5 of January 16, 2025, provides contact information for the Federal Prosecutor's Office, including an email address, phone number, fax number, and website, for those seeking further information.

It is noteworthy that Youssef El A. was arrested in Spain on December 1, 2024, and has been in custody in Germany since January 15, 2025.

The indictment outlines specific facts supporting the charge of espionage, but the search results do not provide the name of the other spy who worked with Youssef El A. and was hired by the DGED, the Moroccan external intelligence service.

Mohamed A., a co-conspirator, was also commissioned by the Moroccan foreign intelligence service DGED. Mohamed A. was sentenced to a suspended sentence of one year and nine months in August 2023.

The trial for Youssef El A. is yet to take place at the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf. The public is reminded that all individuals are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

For more information, please contact the Federal Prosecutor's Office.