German cybersecurity chief on the verge of expulsion over contacts with Russia – Observer

The German Minister of Internal Affairs, Nancy Wieser, intends to dismiss the head of the federal agency responsible for cybersecurity in the country, Arne Schönbaum. The subject of the dispute is Schönbaum’s contacts with people linked to the Russian security services.

The information was provided by several German newspapers, after an investigation revealed that the German is part of a technology association whose top director has ties to the Kremlin. One of the companies that are part of the same consortium is a subsidiary of a Russian cybersecurity company founded by a former KGB agent that has ties to the FSB, the current Russian intelligence service.

Schönbohm is one of the founders of the “German Cyber ​​Security Council eV”, which has been of interest to the ministry since its founding in 2012. The association has a similar name to the German National Cyber ​​Security Council and its president, Hans Wilhelm Donne, has revealed ideas close to the Kremlin, as well as Relationships with many Russians. a Die Zeit guarantees That Dünn, who was an advisor in Potsdam to the CDU, made pro-Russian statements in several cases and was an election observer in Russia on assignment at the invitation of the Russian Parliament, which included representatives of parties such as the German Alternative for Germany. The French National Front and Matteo Salvini’s Union.

Moreover, a previous investigation by ZDF revealed that Protelion is part of the association. German intelligence suspects that this company has links with Russian intelligence services: the first warning came because of the company that sells software In Germany it is specified as being produced in the country, when in fact it is produced by the Russian company Infotecs. This company was founded by Vladislav Sherstyuk, a former general of the KGB and director of the electronic monitoring service working for the FSB.

According to Handelsblatt, the dismissal is accelerated due to “extreme annoyance” with the director of German cybersecurity at the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The final straw was the fact that the ministry asked federal agency officials to distance themselves from the “German eV Cyber ​​Security Council, but Schönbaum insisted on giving a speech at the association’s anniversary gala” in September.

Bild newspaper quoted a ministry source as confirming that “how can there be a quick change of responsibility” is being examined. The separation is not instantaneous because, according to modified Germans, the law on the civil service forbids dismissal and therefore Schönbaum must be incorporated into another service of the German public administration.

But news of the resignation gained steam when it was announced on Monday that a meeting in which Schönbaum and the minister would have appeared together next Thursday was announced.

Officially, the minister only confirmed that the matter is under investigation. “These are serious allegations and we will examine them first and then take the necessary steps,” said Nancy Visser. Schönbühm responded by rating the news only as “ridiculous.”