British embassy security guard charged with spying for Russia in Berlin as he’s extradited from Germany to face court
A BRITISH security guard working in Germany has been charged with spying for the Russian state in Berlin.
David Ballantyne Smith, 57, was extradited from Potsdam, Germany, after being charged with nine offences under the Act.
The security guard was working at the British Embassy in Berlin when he was arrested by German cops on August 10 last year.
He is accused of spying for the Russian state in the alleged offences between October 2020 and August 2021.
German officials extradited the Brit back to the UK today following his arrest and he will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court tomorrow.
The nine charges relate to the collection and communication of information useful to the Russian state.
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The CPS worked with the Metropolitan Police to build a prosecution case and on 15 November 2021 authorised charges.
Head of Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division at the CPS, Nick Price said: “David Smith has been charged with nine offences contrary to the Official Secrets Act.
"He is accused of seven offences of collecting information with the intent of sending it to the Russian authorities, one of attempting communication and one of providing information to a person he believed was a member of the Russian authorities.
“After reviewing the case and authorising charges, we obtained an extradition warrant and worked closely with our German counterparts in order to bring Mr Smith back to the UK.”
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