German Intelligence Will Be Allowed to Conduct Sabotage Operations Outside Country

The German government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz is preparing a bill that will significantly expand the powers of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND).

It is about the possibility of conducting not only espionage operations, but also active actions in case of threatening situations, yahoo news reports, citing German media.

According to WDR, NDR, and Süddeutsche Zeitung, the new provisions will allow the BND to carry out sabotage operations to weaken enemy forces.

This will be a fundamental change in the functionality of the service, which has so far been limited to collecting and analyzing information.

A BND spokesperson refused to comment on the changes, citing respect for the work of the government and parliament. At the same time, sources confirm that the draft law is already under consideration.

To conduct such operations, it will be necessary to declare a ‘special intelligence situation.’ It would be determined by the National Security Council, which includes key ministers, and would require the approval of two-thirds of the Bundestag’s control commission.

A ‘special intelligence situation’ can be declared in the event of a threat to Germany or its allies, such as another state preparing for war or a sharp increase in hybrid attacks.