In January this year, former EU diplomat Gerhard Sabatiir was investigated by the German government for alleged “intelligence to China’s security services”.
Recently, German prosecutors said that the accusation could not be confirmed and announced the withdrawal of the charges against Sabatir. Recently, Sabatir said in an interview with the media that he would sue the German government and claim millions of euros.
Sabatir has German citizenship and has served as the EU ambassador to Norway and South Korea. After returning to Germany in 2016, he joined a lobbying company called EUTOP as executive manager.
According to the German Frankfurter Reges, Sabatir and his family have been monitored by German intelligence services since August 2018. In January this year, German prosecutors searched his office and residence.
Sabatir accused investigators of “fabriating stories, manipulating facts, and constructing a story that is half true and full of misunderstandings”. His personal reputation has been damaged globally because his name was published by the investigation agency.
In response to the case of targeting China, Sabatir pointed out that it was “a product of a new fear of China”, “anyone who does not want to get involved in this whirlpool will be immediately suspected” and “jealousy leads to fear”. Sabatir said that he was smeared by German security and U.S. intelligence because Huawei was one of his customers.
According to the final documents of the prosecution, prosecutors questioned the reliability of some evidence, especially the “significant difference between the call transcript and the call recording”, and some materials that exempt Sabatir from liability were “elided”.
According to Sabatir’s lawyer, federal prosecutors made it clear in the letter of suspension that his client may claim compensation from the government for the economic losses caused by criminal prosecution. Sabatir said that he would ask the government for “seven figures” for compensation.
