The Dutch chip manufacturer ASML is once again faced with a serious case of industrial espionage. Dutch authorities are investigating a 43-year-old Russian engineer who, according to a report by the broadcaster NOS, allegedly stole the company's trade secrets over several years. The suspect is currently in custody in the Netherlands.

The engineer, who initially worked for the start-up Mapper Lithography acquired by ASML in 2015, is suspected of having stolen sensitive documents such as microchip manuals. These are said to have been used, among other things, for the development of chips in Russia. For his alleged activities, the man is said to have received tens of thousands of euros.

It is also suspected that the engineer was associated with the Russian drone manufacturer Astron, which is on the US sanctions list. Before his activities in the Netherlands, the accused apparently worked for Russian companies.

ASML has confirmed the theft of protected information to NOS.

This incident is not the first case of espionage at ASML. Already in 2015, former employees stole trade secrets to develop a competing product that was sold to an existing ASML customer. One of the perpetrators later founded the Chinese company Xtal. In 2022, a case also caused a stir when a former employee moved to the Chinese technology group Huawei after his time at ASML.