Two former French spies are facing trial for treason over allegations that they passed state secrets to a foreign power, France’s defence ministry said.

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Confirming the December arrests of two retired spies, along with the spouse of one of the accused pair, Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said on Friday the compromised information “could undermine the security of the state”.

The agents are believed to have handed over secrets while still in service for France’s DGSE intelligence agency, Parly said on CNews television. She declined to comment on unconfirmed reports that China was the foreign power in question.

Both were placed under formal investigation on Dec. 22 to face charges of spying for a foreign power, compromising classified secrets and delivering information detrimental to fundamental national interests, a judicial source told Reuters.

One of the former agents, who have not been identified, also faces charges of directly inciting treason, the source said.

French authorities have not said how recently the alleged double agents are thought to have been operating.

The DGSE itself contacted French prosecutors after uncovering the “extremely serious” behaviour of its agents, the defence ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.

“The fact that we sounded the alert is proof of our vigilance,” Parly said.

(REUTERS)

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