Three men went on trial in Germany on Tuesday, accused of tailing a former soldier for Ukraine on behalf of a Russian intelligence service for a possible assassination plot.

The alleged ringleader, an Armenian partially identified as Vardges I., recruited a Ukrainian, Robert A., and a Russian, Arman S., prosecutors charge.

Entering the Frankfurt courtroom, Vardges I. grinned broadly and Robert A. gave the thumbs-up sign and stuck out his tongue.

The trio allegedly tried to lure the Georgia-born former soldier for the Ukrainian army to a Frankfurt cafe last year, but the alleged target became suspicious and contacted police.

"The spying operation presumably served to prepare further intelligence missions in Germany, possibly including the killing of the target," prosecutors said.

The m

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