Farah Bahgat
Published May 20, 2025last updated May 20, 2025In Munich, three men are going on trial for allegedly spying for Moscow. In western Germany, police have arrested a suspect after a stabbing attack outside a bar. DW rounds up the latest.
https://p.dw.com/p/4udO3
The trial is taking place at the Higher Regional Court in MunichImage: Joko/imagebroker/imago imagesSkip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to knowThree German-Russian dual nationals are going on trial on Tuesday in Munich. They are accused of planning sabotage plots against military infrastructure and railway lines in Germany.
Meanwhile, a man suspected of carrying out a stabbing attack in Bielefeld has been arrested. Authorities said they may give further information Tuesday amid speculation the attack was part of a larger plot.
Here is a roundup of top news stories from Germany on Tuesday, May 20.
Skip next section Germany questions Putin’s seriousness about Ukraine peace talksMay 20, 2025
Germany questions Putin’s seriousness about Ukraine peace talksGerman Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said thephone call between US President Donald Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin showed that Moscow was still not willing to make concessions to end the war in Ukraine.
“There is still no sign of a ceasefire,” Pistorius said on the sidelines of the meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels.
Putin said that Russia was prepared to work out a “memorandum” with the Ukrainian government to prepare a “possible future peace agreement” between the two states.
But Pistorius argued he no longer judged “words,” but “deeds and actions.” This would “help us all more than speculating about the seriousness of intentions,” he said.
Pistorius made the remarks in Brussels, where he is attending a meeting of EU defense ministers. Among other topics, the ministers are discussing further support for Ukraine and the EU’s defense capabilities.
EU foreign ministers are also meeting later on Tuesday to discuss further sanctions against Russia.
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https://p.dw.com/p/4udp9
Skip next section Ice hockey: Germany to face Denmark after losing to CzechiaMay 20, 2025
Ice hockey: Germany to face Denmark after losing to CzechiaThe Czech Republic won against Germany 5-0 on Monday evening, remaining unbeaten at the ice hockey world championship.
The win put the Czech Republic at the top of Group B, followed by Switzerland and the US.
On Tuesday, Germany will face Denmark in a game that will decide which team qualifies to the quarterfinals.
https://p.dw.com/p/4udWz
Skip next section Police arrest Bielefeld stabbing attack suspectMay 20, 2025
Police arrest Bielefeld stabbing attack suspectThe group reportedly managed to fight off and injure the attacker before he fledImage: Christian Müller/Christian Müller TV/dpa/picture-alliancePolice in the western city of Bielefeld said they arrested a suspect after an attack outside a bar left several people injured.
Authorities had been searching for the suspect, whom they identified as a 35-year-old Syrian man, since early Sunday.
According to investigators, the man is said to have randomly attacked revelers outside a bar in downtown Bielefeld with a sharp object, injuring at least five people before going on the run.
Police said the suspect left behind a bag containing personal documents and a bottle containing a liquid that smelled of gasoline.
The attack has drawn speculation that the suspect did not act spontaneously but had planned an attack.
Police said they may provide further information on Tuesday.
https://p.dw.com/p/4udQf
Skip next section Trial opens in Munich over Russian sabotage actsMay 20, 2025
Trial opens in Munich over Russian sabotage actsThe trial of three men accused of spying for Russia is due to begin at a regional court in the southern city of Munich.
The trio, all German-Russian dual nationals, are also charged with planning sabotage plots against military infrastructure and railway lines in Germany.
Police first arrested two of them, identified* as Dieter S. and Alexander J., in Bavaria last year. The third defendant, Alex D., was arrested separately.
The main suspect in the case is Dieter S., who is believed to have been at the center of sabotage plots, while the other two are alleged to have helped him.
Prosecutors have also charged Dieter S. with “membership in a foreign terrorist organization” for allegedly belonging to a pro-Russian militia in eastern Ukraine between 2014 and 2016.
According to prosecutors, it was during this time that he came into contact with Russian intelligence services.
The trial kicks off Tuesday at the Higher Regional Court in Munich at 10 a.m. local time (0800 UTC). Over 40 hearings are scheduled until December.
*DW follows the German press code, which stresses the importance of protecting the privacy of suspected criminals or victims and obliges us to refrain from revealing full names in such cases.
https://p.dw.com/p/4udTz
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage May 20, 2025
Welcome to our coverage Farah Bahgat | Kieran Burke
Guten Morgen from Bonn. A few trials in Germany are making headlines today, most notably that of three dual German-Russian citizens accused of spying for Moscow.
Also on the agenda today: the Interior Ministry is giving a briefing on annual figures of politically motivated crime and Germany will face Denmark in the ice hockey World Championship.
https://p.dw.com/p/4udP1
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