Next year, two Brits are scheduled to go on trial for alleged Chinese spying

On Friday, it was announced that two British citizens—one of whom was a former researcher for a well-known Conservative Party lawmaker—would face charges of spying for China in court the next year.

Last month, the men—former researchers Christopher Cash, 29, and Christopher Berry, 32—were accused of violating the Official Secrets Act by giving China damaging material.

Cash and Berry did not enter a plea during their brief Friday appearance at London’s Old Bailey Court; their purpose was to verify their names and birthdates.

Both of them were released on bond until a hearing on October 4 after being informed that their trial will occur in the spring or summer of the following year.

Concern over China’s purported espionage activities, which Beijing has consistently refuted, has grown throughout Europe, and in recent months, Britain has become more outspoken in its fears.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak claimed that Chinese state-affiliated actors had carried out “malicious cyber campaigns” against British legislators during a speech in Warsaw last month.

Earlier this week, Sunak stated that a “malign actor” had most likely hacked the British military’s payment system. British media reported that China was thought to be responsible for the cyberattack, a claim Beijing dismissed as ludicrous.