Four arrested in south-western France on suspicion of spying for China

"The four individuals were arrested Saturday in the southwestern Gironde region after the two Chinese individuals allegedly rented an Airbnb as part of a plan to intercept data, including military intelligence, the Paris prosecutor's office said. The two Chinese nationals allegedly travelled to France with the intent to capture data from the Starlink satellite internet system and other "entities of vital importance" and transmit it back to China, it added."

"Their visa applications stated that they worked as engineers for a research and development company specialising in wireless communication equipment, it said."

"The probe, also involving France's DGSI domestic intelligence agency, focuses on the "delivery of information to a foreign power" likely to harm key national interests. This is punishable by up to 15 years behind bars. The case was triggered after residents on January 30 spotted the installation of a satellite dish approximately two metres (around six-and-a-half feet) in diameter, which coincided with a local internet outage. A search conducted the following day led to the discovery of "a system of computers connected to satellite dishes enabling the capture of satellite data". The national radio frequency agency notably reported "frequency jamming" and "illegal possession of technical devices for capturing computer data"."

Four people, including two Chinese nationals, were arrested in Gironde after the suspects allegedly rented an Airbnb to intercept data, including military intelligence. The Chinese nationals reportedly traveled to France to capture data from the Starlink satellite internet system and other "entities of vital importance" and to transmit it to China. Their visa applications listed them as engineers at an R&D firm specializing in wireless communication equipment. Two other suspects were arrested for allegedly importing the equipment illegally. The probe, involving France's DGSI, targets delivery of information to a foreign power, punishable by up to 15 years. Searches uncovered computers linked to satellite dishes; authorities reported frequency jamming and illegal technical devices for capturing computer data.

Read at The Local France