THE trial of a German man accused of spying for Iranian intelligence started in Koblenz yesterday.

Among the few known details are that the 51-year-old German-Afghan man worked as an interpreter and adviser for the German military.

Known only as Abdul S, he is charged with “a particularly serious case” of treason and with breaching official secrecy laws in 18 cases.

The media and public were excluded from the hearing at the Koblenz state court as the indictment was read. Judge Thomas Bergmann said the trial would be held behind closed doors “until further notice” due to security concerns. The public was later allowed back into the court, but further restrictions are expected.

The trial is scheduled to last until at least March 31. Abdul’s wife Asiea S has also been charged with being an accessory to treason. Prosecutors said she supported his passing of secret documents to Iran.

Defence lawyer Ulrich Sommer said the pair had failed to respond to the charges, which he said he has found “no direct evidence” to support.