According to authorities, the suspects allegedly targeted researchers at German universities, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and aerospace engineering. They reportedly lured academics to China under the pretense of giving civilian guest lectures, where the researchers instead spoke to representatives of state-owned defense companies. In a related incident, Polish authorities arrested three individuals suspected of spying for Russia, focusing on NATO troop deployments. This information was broadcast on Deutschlandfunk on May 20, 2026.