Germany arrests 2 alleged Syrian spies

[February 07, 2012]  BERLIN (AP) -- Prosecutors say police have arrested two men on allegations they were spying on Syrian opposition groups in Germany.

The Federal Prosecutors' Office said Tuesday some 70 police officers searched the suspects' apartments and those of six alleged accomplices.

They say a 34-year-old Syrian, identified only as Mahmoud El A., and a 47-year-old German-Lebanese double national, Akram O., are suspected of "having spied over several years on Syrian opposition figures in Germany."

Prosecutors say the arrests and searches are the result of an "extensive" investigation by Germany's domestic intelligence service.

No further details were given and the investigation remains ongoing.

[Associated Press]

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