A Scots safety guard on the British embassy in Berlin, accused of spying for Russia, allegedly handed on 'secret info', a courtroom heard.
David Smith denied 9 offences beneath the Official Secrets and techniques Act when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court docket on Thursday.
The Briton, who was dwelling in Potsdam, is accused of gathering info from the embassy and passing it to somebody he believed was a consultant of the Russian state, in addition to different alleged offences, between October 2020 and August 2021.
The fees allege Smith "tried to speak" by letter with "Normal Main Sergey Chukhurov, the Russian navy attaché based mostly out of the Russian Embassy, Berlin".
The fabric "contained particulars in regards to the actions, identities, addresses and phone numbers of varied members of Her Majesty's Civil Service".
Smith is accused of committing acts "prejudicial" to the protection and curiosity of the state by gathering info categorised as "secret" in regards to the "actions of Her Majesty's Authorities".
He allegedly "collected materials referring to the operation and format of the British Embassy in Berlin", with that info thought or meant to be "helpful to an enemy, particularly the Russian state".
Smith additionally allegedly made unauthorised photocopies of paperwork, video recordings of the embassy's CCTV system and "saved sim card packaging" he had been requested to "get rid of".
And he gave details about constructing repairs on the embassy after being approached by somebody he "believed to be a member of Russian Navy Intelligence (the GRU)", the fees declare.
The 57-year-old was arrested by German police on August 10 and extradited to the UK on Wednesday.
He sat within the dock carrying a blue jumper and denims and flanked by two plain-clothes guards.
He requested a listening to loop to take heed to proceedings and confirmed his title and age, including he now not has an deal with.
Smith appeared impassive as he pleaded not responsible.
He was remanded in custody and is because of seem on the Outdated Bailey on April 13.
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