French authorities have arrested Chinese nationals suspected of involvement in espionage activities in the southwest of the country. The arrest occurred after residents of the French commune Camblanes-et-Meynac, in the Gironde region, reported the installation of a large satellite dish in a house rented through Airbnb by the suspects, an episode that coincided with failures in the local internet service, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office. The region is considered strategic as it concentrates military, aerospace and defense installations
According to French authorities, two Chinese citizens, aged 27 and 29, were detained in the operation, conducted by the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI), which seized computers and electronic equipment connected to satellite communication antennas from the Chinese.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the suspects will be accused of “delivering information to a foreign power likely to harm the fundamental interests of France”, a crime that can result in up to 15 years in prison. Two other men of Chinese origin, residing in the country, were also indicted for providing logistical support to the operation.
Investigations indicate that the group attempted to capture satellite communications data, including information associated with the Starlink network, as well as signals linked to entities considered strategic, including military installations, with the aim of retransmitting them to China.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the two suspects recently entered France on work visas and presented themselves as engineers at a company specializing in wireless communications.
