Ex-ASML Engineer Who Stole Chip Tech for Russia Gets Three Years in Dutch Prison

A former engineer at ASML and NXP semiconductor has been sentenced to three years in a Dutch prison after being convicted of stealing sensitive chip technology from his employers and sharing it with Russia.

The Rotterdam District Court delivered the verdict on an unnamed 43-year-old defendant, who was accused of computer hacking and violating EU sanctions by illegally providing technical assistance to Russia. Despite not being named in the court documents, earlier reports suggest that the perpetrator may have been a Russian national named German Aksenov, who allegedly sold the corporate data to Russia's FSB intelligence service for €40,000 (approximately $44,000).

Prosecutors could not prove that Aksenov had sold the stolen files or that the money he deposited in his bank account was related to the information he shared. However, court documents reveal that between May 2023 and August 2024, the defendant shared sensitive files with an unnamed source in Russia via Signal, Telegram, and Google Drive.

The files contained advice on equipment required for semiconductor manufacturing, as well as detailed steps on how to set up processes for several products using ASML and NXP's technology. The defendant also sent a work proposal for setting up a microchip production line to his Russian source, although he did not ultimately provide this type of technical assistance.

At an earlier hearing, the defendant confessed to stealing corporate data from both companies. In a June 26 statement, he said: "I had saved files from [company 1] for my own use. Yes, on May 19, 2024, I copied the files from the hard drive to a USB stick. I sent the files I wanted to forward via Signal. Yes, I had files from [company 1] and [company 2] that should have been returned. Yes, I sent him ([name 1]) files at his request. Whether those files were allowed to go to Russia? I didn't ask. Yes, I provided advice. I made copies of the files to ensure access at all times, not only during my work but also outside of my paid duties."

ASML declined to comment on the legal proceedings, while fellow Dutch chip maker NXP issued a statement saying: "NXP has a zero-tolerance policy towards data theft and embezzlement. We cooperated with the prosecutor's office to support the prosecution, we thank them for their efforts, and we are pleased with the court's verdict."

The case highlights the importance of protecting sensitive intellectual property and the consequences of breaching trust with employers.