WORLD : W. German ‘Hackers’ Held as Soviet Spies in Tapping West’s Computers
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KARLSRUHE, West Germany — Three West Germans have been charged with spying after allegedly breaking into secret Western computer systems on behalf of the Soviet Union, the federal prosecutor’s office said today.
A spokesman for the office said it was the first West German case involving “hackers,” enthusiasts who use their expertise to gain illegal access to computer networks.
They are alleged to have tapped military, research and industrial computer systems in the United States, Western Europe and the Far East for the KGB, the Soviet secret service.
Computer experts Markus H., 28, and Dirk B., 30, and ex-croupier Peter C., 35, who allegedly acted as their contact man with the KGB, could be jailed for five years if convicted. They were identified only by their first names and last initials.
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