Berlin trial of Libya ‘spies’ opens

Two men accused of spying for Tripoli on Libyan opposition members in Germany.

Berlin trial of Libyan ''spies'' opens
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The identities of the two men have not been released 

Two men suspected of spying for the Libyan intelligence service have gone on trial in Berlin, accused of gathering information on Libyan opposition members living in Germany.

The two men, aged 42 and 47, who can only be identified as Adel Ab and Adel Al, were arrested in the spring of this year.

Germany has charged them with “spying for the Libyan intelligence service between August 2007 and May 13, 2010, the day of their arrest here in Germany,” said Robert Baeuml, a spokesman for the Berlin justice authorities.

Baeuml said the spying was “on a personal level” and “there was no technical eavesdropping involved”.

“There were attempts to contact opposition members through personal contacts and gaining their trust in order to gather information,” he said.

Baeuml said the start of the trial “coincides with considerable attempts within the Libyan opposition in Germany to find out in Libya what the opposition is up to”.

If the men are found guilty, they could face prison terms of up to five years.

The trial is expected to last until the middle of October.

Source: News Agencies