French police arrest 2 Chinese citizens over alleged attempt to access military data

On February 14, 2024, French prosecutors in Paris announced the arrest of two Chinese citizens suspected of trying to capture sensitive French government and military data. The individuals were conducting satellite interception operations involving a Starlink satellite dish rented from an Airbnb in the Gironde region near Bordeaux. Neighbors reported installation of a roughly two-meter diameter satellite dish and unusual internet outages, prompting police notification. The device was reportedly used to illegally intercept satellite downlinks, including exchanges between vital military entities. The suspects indicated on their visa applications that they worked for a company specializing in smart beams, signal recognition, satellite networks, and military-oriented university projects. French authorities formally charged four people, with two remanded in custody, for acts of delivering information to a foreign power, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. POLITICO reached out to the Chinese Embassy in Paris for comment.