Ex-diplomat Raymond Poeteray didn't' spy while in HK, court told

A former Hong Kong-based diplomat accused of being part of a Russian spy ring was simply "gossiping" about colleagues and not passing secrets about them, his lawyer has told a court in the Netherlands.

Dutch prosecutors however say it remains unclear how much damage was caused by the alleged spying of Raymond Poeteray, who worked at the Dutch consulate in Hong Kong between 2004 and 2008.

It was also revealed prosecutors are set to expand the scope of the investigation in Hong Kong.

Prosecutors say Poeteray passed secrets to Andreas and Heidrun Anschlag, a German couple, for a number of years beginning in 2005. The Anschlags, who were arrested in Germany last year, have been linked to Anna Chapman, the Russian sleeper agent who became a media sensation after her deportation from the US in 2010.

Dutch prosecutors say memory sticks found on Poeteray when he was arrested show they had been used on computers belonging to the Anschlags and Russia's SVR - the successor to the KGB.

"The suspect made attempts to copy detailed information for the Russians, such as a database with information on the status of foreigners in the Netherlands and an internal list of phone numbers," prosecutors said.

Poeteray, who, as in previous hearings did not speak, listened attentively to the allegations, but otherwise appeared emotionally indifferent.