German prosecutors investigating alleged Vietnam espionage

Germany's federal prosecutors say they've opened an investigation into whether Vietnam conducted illegal espionage in Berlin, after a Vietnamese national wanted by that country on embezzlement charges was kidnapped here and spirited home.

Federal prosecutors said in a statement Thursday they believe Trinh Xuan Thanh was kidnapped July 23 in the German capital.

Vietnam had requested the extradition of Thanh, 51, on embezzlement charges, which carry the death penalty.

He'd sought asylum in Germany and German authorities kicked Vietnam's intelligence attache out of the country after the alleged kidnapping and summoned the ambassador.

Vietnam last week said Thanh had turned himself in, calling it "regrettable" that Germany accused Hanoi of kidnapping.

The Vietnamese embassy wouldn't comment by phone and didn't immediately respond to an e-mailed query about the latest development.