Germany rejects Russian embassy's response to arrest of alleged spies

The German government has sharply criticized statements made by the Russian embassy in Berlin following the recent arrest of two German-Russian dual citizens accused of plotting sabotage attacks.

The Russian embassy's comments are flatly false, and threats from the Russians of consequences are rejected in the clearest possible terms, a spokesman for the German Foreign Office said in Berlin on Friday.

The day before, the Russian embassy in Berlin had dismissed the allegations and denounced German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in angry terms for summoning the Russian ambassador.

The arrested suspects allegedly worked with Russian intelligence agencies to scout possible targets in Germany.

According to prosecutors, the targets were intended in particular to "undermine the military support provided by Germany to Ukraine against the Russian war of aggression."

In a public statement, the Russian embassy claimed that the summoning of Ambassador Sergei Nechayev was "a blatant provocation" aimed at "raising the level of hostility towards Russia" in the country.

The embassy went on to write: "We have made it clear that any unfriendly actions towards Russia will not remain without consequences."

The German Foreign Office spokesman said that the Russian ambassador had been told clearly that such activities should be avoided.