What would you do if your quiet village suddenly felt… watched?
That’s the question residents of Camblanes-et-Meynac, a sleepy spot near Bordeaux, are now asking.
French authorities arrested two men accused of spying for China.
The red flag? A giant parabolic antenna popping up in a rented Airbnb garden. Casual home upgrade—or something more?
Locals weren’t convinced. The dish pointed skyward, and almost on cue, their internet connections started acting up.
Coincidence? Neighbours didn’t think so. Soon after, France’s domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI, moved in.
Last weekend, officers raided the property and seized piles of computer equipment.
Espionage Suspects Detained
The suspects—Chinese nationals aged 27 and 29—were later charged.
They were charged with “delivering information to a foreign power likely to harm France’s interests.”. They are now behind bars.
Two other men, based in France, are accused of helping them.
Prosecutors say the pair entered France on work visas as wireless communications engineers.
But investigators believe their real mission was far more sensitive: intercepting satellite data from Elon Musk’s Starlink network.
And potentially accessing military and strategic communications.
Experts say the location makes sense. South-western France sits close to defence, aerospace and telecom hubs—prime real estate for espionage.
A peaceful village, a rented house, a satellite dish. Sometimes, the quietest places hide the loudest secrets.
