German spy agency opens helpline for those exiled from Russia, China

Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has established a support line for exiled individuals living in Germany who are under threat from their home countries. The agency published a brochure advertising the helpline on Thursday, targeting those fleeing authoritarian nations such as Russia, China, and Iran.

These individuals often face intimidation, surveillance, repression, and even assassination attempts. The BfV encourages them to contact the helpline to aid in analyzing and countering these repressive strategies. The brochure specifically addresses dissidents, journalists, and members of the LGBTQ+ community who are under threat.

The agency offers hope that it can thwart specific threats callers are facing. "Through both its own investigations and information provided by the individuals concerned, the domestic intelligence service is able to track down those responsible," the brochure states. This outreach is part of a larger push by Berlin to enhance the powers of its intelligence services, including new capabilities for hacking communications and disrupting foreign adversaries' operations to counter growing cyber and hybrid threats.

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Through both its own investigations and information provided by the individuals concerned, the domestic intelligence service is able to track down those responsible.