Dutch court jails 'chip spy' Russian for three years; TSMC's half-year revenue surges 40 percent

Dutch court jails 'chip spy' Russian for three years; TSMC's half-year revenue surges 40 percent
by AFP Staff Writers
The Hague (AFP) July 10, 2025

A Dutch court Thursday sentenced a Russian former employee of tech giant ASML to three years behind bars for passing sensitive microchip technology to Moscow in breach of Western sanctions.

In a high-security courtroom in Rotterdam, the judge convicted the 43 year old, identified as German A., for breaking the sanctions law and embezzling trade secrets.

"Giving advice to and sharing technology with Russia is extremely serious," the court said in its judgement.

"It can contribute to strengthening the military and strategic capabilities of that country, with consequences for Ukraine and indirect consequences for international security and stability," added the court.

The public prosecution service had called for a four-year sentence against the Russian, saying he had "consciously contributed" to Moscow's war effort against Ukraine.

"By sharing classified information with Russia, the suspect contributed to maintaining or developing the Russian war machine, potentially endangering human lives," prosecutors said.

"He also grossly violated the trust his employers placed in him by stealing trade secrets from them and sharing them with third parties," added the prosecution.

The court decided on a lower sentence than demanded by the prosecutors as it could not prove he had received money for the information.

A., who also worked for semiconductor manufacturer NXP, admitted to having technical documents in his home but claimed they were for his own personal use.

ASML makes cutting-edge machines that manufacture semiconductors, powering everything from smartphones to cars.

"The fact that the files contain outdated information is irrelevant, as this information can be of great value to a country with a (much) lower level of knowledge," said the court.

TSMC's half-year revenue surges 40 percent
Taipei (AFP) July 10, 2025 - Taiwanese chip giant TSMC reported on Thursday a 40-percent surge in revenue in the first six months on robust demand for AI technology.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is the world's largest contract maker of chips, which have become the lifeblood of the global economy, powering everything from smartphones to missiles.

TSMC's half-year revenue increased 40 percent to NT$1.77 trillion (US$60.8 billion) from a year earlier, the company, whose clients include tech giants Nvidia and Apple, said in a statement.

Chairman and chief executive CC Wei told a recent briefing that TSMC expected to see record earnings this year, as artificial intelligence demand would remain "very strong".

The company's sales surged in recent months after US President Donald Trump's global tariff blitz spurred companies to stock up, owing to fears that higher levies were in the pipeline.

Wei told shareholders in June that TSMC's business "may be affected" if tariffs force up prices and demand for chips falls, but he added: "Our business will still be very good."

Taiwan's government said Thursday it has yet to receive a letter on the tariff it would face from the United States, as its delegation is currently negotiating in Washington.

Neighbouring Japan and South Korea are among more than 20 countries receiving letters this week from Trump warning of "reciprocal" tariffs from August 1.

Taipei has sought to avoid Trump's threatened levies by pledging increased investment in the United States, more purchases of US energy and greater defence spending.