June 19,
2008: A manager at Eurocopter recently received
a suspended sentence after admitting he spied for Russian intelligence (SVR)
between 2004-6. He received $20,000 from the Russians, and supplied them with
unclassified documents. He received such lenient treatment because he
cooperated with police, and that led to several other arrests, and severe
damage to Russian spying operations in Germany.
Russia has
earned considerable criticism throughout Europe because of its increased
espionage activities. Most of the Russian spying these days is in search of new
technology, either military or civilian. During the Cold War, the Russians also
sought military secrets, which are not seen as worth much to the Russians these
days.
