Officials: Detained Syrian wanted German intel job

The German federal prosecutors' office says the 35-year-old man was an unofficial employee of Syria's embassy in Berlin when he applied in late 2010 for a post with Germany's Interior Ministry.

Prosecutors said in a statement Tuesday that the man, identified only as Syrian national Akram O., sought work with the domestic intelligence agency or electronic surveillance office - both overseen by the ministry - but was turned down.

Authorities indicted him last week on suspicion of spying on Syrian opposition activists in Germany.