A 37-year-old Moldovan citizen has been taken into custody in Munich on suspicion of espionage after allegedly flying a drone over a German defense contractor's facility.
The incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, July 15, when the suspect reportedly piloted the drone above the arms company's grounds, apparently to capture recordings deemed significant for national security and defense. Police moved in later that night after acting on tips from members of the public, seizing the drone and provisionally detaining the man.
An investigating judge subsequently issued an arrest warrant citing espionage suspicions and a direct flight risk, and the suspect was remanded in pretrial custody. The formal arrest was recorded on July 17. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the targeted company or further details about the material the drone may have captured.