Russian Engineer Herman Aksenov Faces Trial for Alleged Theft of ASML Trade Secrets

Dec 9, 2024, 09:10 AM

A former ASML employee, identified as a Russian engineer named Herman Aksenov, has been indicted in the Netherlands for allegedly stealing critical trade secrets from the chip equipment manufacturer. Aksenov, currently in custody, faces charges related to the theft of documents, violation of sanctions, and selling these trade secrets to Russian companies. He is also facing a 20-year entry ban to the Netherlands. The Dutch government has accused him of these actions, highlighting the case's significance for industrial espionage and national security. Aksenov is set for a court hearing to address these allegations. This incident is part of a broader concern over the protection of intellectual property in the semiconductor industry, especially given Russia's ambitions to advance its semiconductor technology by 2028.