Dutch prosecutors seek 4-year prison term for Russian ex-ASML worker in espionage case
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie, OM) on Thursday demanded a four-year prison sentence for German A., a 43-year-old former employee of ASML, accused of industrial espionage benefiting Russia.
According to the OM, German A. sold manuals and technical documents from leading Dutch chip manufacturers, including ASML, NXP in Nijmegen, and startup Mapper in Delft, to Russian contacts. These documents were allegedly used to help Russia develop its own semiconductor industry, violating EU sanctions imposed on Russia.
The prosecution said German A. copied hundreds of confidential documents onto USB sticks and hard drives over several years. He then physically delivered the USB sticks in Moscow, reportedly receiving 40,000 euros in cash for the information.
The OM emphasized the seriousness of the offense, noting that microchips are crucial components in military vehicles, precision weapons, and drones. By enabling Russia’s semiconductor production, German A. is believed to have made “a substantial contribution” to the violence in Ukraine.
