Germany’s cyber security chief sacked amid allegations of ties with Russia

Berlin. The head of Germany’s National Cyber ​​Security Agency, Arne Schönbaum, has been sacked after information emerged of possible links with Russian intelligence. This information was given by the Ministry of Interior of Germany on Tuesday. Germany’s news agency DPA reported that the ministry said Interior Minister Nancy Fesser had fired Arne Schönbaum from the post of head of the BSI agency following the allegations. She said the allegations “damaged public confidence in the neutrality and fairness of Schönbaum’s management.”

Schonbaum co-founded a cybersecurity group a decade ago, which brings together experts from public institutions and the private sector. According to German media reports, one of its members was linked to a company founded by a former Russian intelligence agent, which the group said last week had been ousted. The German government said a week ago that it was conducting a comprehensive investigation into the matter. There is growing concern in Germany that the country’s critical infrastructure could be targeted by Russia because of Berlin’s support to Ukraine in the war.

The 53-year-old Schonbom was the head of BSI since February 2016. There was no immediate comment on who would be his successor. At the same time, a court in Russia on Tuesday also dismissed a second appeal filed challenging the nine-year sentence of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Navalni, 46, was sentenced in March after pleading guilty to charges of cheating and contempt of court. Navalny, a staunch opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was arrested in January 2021 on his return from Germany. He was recovering in Germany after being given nerve-agent poison.

Be the first to read breaking news in Hindi News18 Hindi| Today’s latest news, live news updates, read the most reliable Hindi news website News18 Hindi|

Tags: germany, Russia