Archive · 20 Aug 2026
German spy agency launches helpline for exiles facing repression
Germany’s domestic spy agency has created a helpline for people who escaped authoritarian countries.
Some of these people may still be watched, threatened or attacked by agents from their former governments.
The service is intended for dissidents, journalists and LGBTQ people, among others.
People can tell the agency about the dangers they face.
The agency says it may use that information, along with its own investigations, to find those responsible.
The brochure mentions people from countries such as Russia, China and Iran.
Germany is also discussing giving intelligence agencies more power to fight cyber and hybrid attacks.
The helpline is meant to help threatened exiles and improve the agency’s understanding of repression.
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency published a brochure advertising a helpline for exiles threatened by authoritarian governments.
The service is aimed at dissidents, journalists and LGBTQ people who face intimidation, surveillance, repression, abduction or assassination attempts.
The agency says information from callers and its own investigations can help identify those responsible for threats.
The outreach targets people who fled countries including Russia, China and Iran and found refuge in Germany.
The initiative comes as Germany considers expanding intelligence powers to counter cyber and hybrid attacks.
- Who
- Germany’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution, and exiles from countries including Russia, China and Iran.
- What
- The domestic intelligence agency published a brochure promoting a helpline for exiles facing threats from agents of their former countries.
- When
- Thursday, Aug. 20; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- To support threatened exiles, identify those responsible for attacks and help analyze repressive strategies and ways to counter them.
- Agency
- Office for the Protection of the Constitution, also referred to as the BfV and Germany’s domestic intelligence service.
- Target groups
- Dissidents, journalists and members of the LGBTQ community, among others.
- Threats cited
- Intimidation, surveillance, repression, abduction and assassination attempts.
- Countries mentioned
- Russia, China and Iran.
- Outreach material
- A 16-page brochure advertising the helpline.
- Related policy debate
- Germany is considering broader intelligence powers to counter cyber and hybrid attacks.