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It has been reported that the head of Germany’s national cyber security agency has been sacked amid allegations that he held close ties to Russia. The comment was made by the Interior Ministry after Nancy Faeser, the Interior Minister removed Arne Schoenbohm as head of the BSI agency.
The move was taken after reports that “damages the necessary confidence of the public in the neutrality and impartiality” of his management.
The allegations about Mr Schoenbohm’s close links to Russia arose earlier this month when satirical programme Magazin Royale showed an inquiry into an industrial association he co-founded in 2012.
Mr Schoenbohm chaired the Cyber Security Council Germany, until 2016 when he became the head of BSI.
The investigation report revealed that the Cyber Security Council was often influenced by the Kremlin’s intelligence organisations and Russian companies.
According to reports from the media in Germany, one of the members of the Security Council was a German company that is a subsidiary of a Russian cybersecurity firm which was founded by a former KGB agent.
The Council announced last week that it had subsequently thrown the company out of the group.
However, the organisation which is self-described as politically neutral and advises politicians and authorities on cybersecurity has rejected the accusations of close ties to Russia, calling them ridiculous.
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Worries of cyber security breaches have risen since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine as Germans worry that their support of Ukraine will be used against them by Russia.
The allegations against Schoenbohn are being thoroughly assessed and the ministry made it clear that there is the presumption of innocence while the investigation is on-going.
So far, it is un known who will be tipped to take over as the leader of BSI.
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