Court in Germany convicts Anschlag spouses for espionage for Russia

The spouses Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag, who are accused of espionage in Germany for the Russian security services, are sentenced to 6.5 and 5.5 years, respectively, and a fine of 500,000 euros. The Supreme Land Court of the German city Stuttgart, Federal Land Baden Wurttemberg, pronounced the verdict on Tuesday. The German Prosecutor General’s Office demanded to sentence them to 7.5 and 4.5 years. The prosecution alleges that since 1988, the spouses were conducting spy activities in favor of the USSR, and then - in favor of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Russia. During this time they have changed their residence for four times until October 18, 2011 security officers have detained Heidrun at their home in Michelbach. Andreas was arrested the same day in 75 km from Stuttgart. The purpose of the Anschlags /the name listed in their passports/ was "gathering information about the political and military-political strategy of the European Union and NATO," as well as about the socio-political climate in Germany. According to the prosecution, the alleged spies had an informant who provided them "documents relating to the EU and NATO from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands."