In a surprising turn of events, two suspected Chinese spies have been arrested in the small village of Camblanes-et-Meynac, located in southwestern France and not far from Bordeaux. The suspects, aged 27 and 29, are accused of using this tranquil location as a base to gather sensitive information.
Residents grew suspicious when the individuals, who rented a property through Airbnb, installed a large parabolic antenna in their garden. The dish, aimed at the sky, was noticed by locals just as they experienced a spate of internet service disruptions. This unusual setup raised alarms regarding potential espionage activities.
Experts believe that southwestern France has increasingly attracted attention from foreign spies due to its closeness to important defense, aerospace, and telecommunications sites. An investigation by France's General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) led to a raid on the suspects' home, where a significant amount of computer equipment was seized.
The accused, who had arrived in France last month claiming to be engineers specializing in wireless communications, have been charged with delivering information to a foreign power, which allegedly could harm France's interests. Meanwhile, two additional individuals of Chinese origin, residing in France, have been charged with assisting in these efforts.
Notably, the suspects allegedly aimed to capture satellite data from Elon Musk's Starlink network and information from crucial military entities to send back to China. Previous instances of espionage in the region include the arrest of another Chinese engineer last summer and ongoing investigations into local university professors who have interacted with Chinese visitors.
The arrests have initiated discussions about France's approach to espionage threats. Historically, such cases might have been handled discreetly, but recent developments indicate a shift towards more public acknowledgment and legal action against espionage activities.
Local sentiment reflects concern and bewilderment. We usually attract artists, not spies, remarked Mayor Jean-Philippe Guillemeot, hinting at the unusual nature of the incident in such a peaceful village.
