Germany accuses Russia of committing cyber-attacks

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany accused Russia on Friday of carrying out cyber-attacks on Western countries and international organizations.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman claimed that recent investigations showed the role of Russian military intelligence agency GRU behind these attacks.

“We strongly condemn such attacks on international organizations and government institutions of our allies. And we call on Russia to meet its responsibilities and stop such acts,” Steffen Seibert said.

The U.K. accused Russia on Thursday of “indiscriminate and reckless” cyber-attacks on Western countries, and the Dutch government said it had recently disrupted a cyber-attack by Russia on the Hague-based international chemical weapons watchdog OPCW.

Seibert said the German government has “full confidence” in the findings of investigations carried out by British and Dutch authorities.

He said such cyber-attacks pose a threat to public security and democracy.

Russia dismissed the claims of the British and Dutch governments on Thursday.

“The West’s spy mania is gaining momentum,” Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.