Police officers are guarding the courthouse in Anhui province, China.
Photo: Chinese networks
An engineer who sold military secrets, including classified information about fighter jets, to foreign agents has been sentenced to death in China. This was reported by the South China Morning Post, citing sources from the Chinese Ministry of State Security.
What led to the sale of state secrets?
The convicted individual, an engineer with the surname Liu, worked at a research institute. According to reports, Liu illegally copied classified documents and subsequently sold them to foreign intelligence agents.
According to the Chinese Ministry of State Security, Liu engaged in this activity due to dissatisfaction with injustices at his workplace. After leaving the research institute, he joined an investment company and traded in the securities market. However, due to financial problems, he fell into significant debt, which prompted him to sell state secrets.
What methods were used?
Liu purchased several SIM cards and contacted foreign intelligence agencies under various aliases.
However, the agency bought classified information from him at a low price and then severed ties with Liu.
The ministry's statement said:
“Liu did not realize the seriousness of his actions. His 'gambler mentality' led him to develop even more complex methods.”
Over the next six months, Liu traveled to several countries and continued to sell classified documents. This resulted in a widespread disclosure of state secrets.
Judicial ruling and execution issue
Liu has been sentenced to death. However, it is currently unclear when the sentence will be carried out.
Similar cases
Liu's case is not the first of its kind in China's recent history. In 2015, a scholar named Huang Yu was arrested for selling state secrets to a foreign intelligence agency and was executed in 2016.
The Chinese government remains firm in its stance on protecting state secrets. Liu's case demonstrates the significant attention being paid to intelligence security in the country. Strict penalties for selling classified information and harming national interests are aimed at preventing such incidents.
