Shocking Revelation: German Intelligence Believed COVID-19 Originated in Wuhan Lab, Kept Secret for Years
German intelligence assessed in 2020 that COVID-19 likely stemmed from a lab accident in Wuhan, China, with an 80% to 95% probability, but this critical finding was concealed by the German government.
The secrecy, upheld by Chancellors Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, contrasts sharply with public dismissals of the lab-leak theory as a "conspiracy" during the early pandemic.
This revelation fuels ongoing global debates about the virus's origins, transparency in government, and the credibility of early pandemic responses, aligning with similar assessments by U.S. intelligence agencies.
In a stunning disclosure that has reignited global debates about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has emerged that Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) concluded as early as 2020 that the virus most likely originated from a laboratory accident in Wuhan, China. According to recent reports, the BND estimated an 80% to 95% probability for this lab-leak hypothesis, a finding that carried profound implications for public health, international relations, and scientific understanding. However, this critical assessment was kept under wraps by the German Chancellery, with both former Chancellor Angela Merkel and her successor, Olaf Scholz, maintaining strict confidentiality—leaving the public in the dark for years.
The revelation, detailed in investigative reports published on March 12, 2025, paints a picture of a deliberate decision to withhold information that could have reshaped the global response to the pandemic. At the time, individuals and groups suggesting a laboratory origin for the virus were often labeled as conspiracy theorists, dismissed by mainstream narratives, and even censored in some contexts. This secrecy raises troubling questions about transparency and accountability, particularly as the world grappled with unprecedented lockdowns, economic disruption, and millions of deaths.
The BND’s findings were based on a comprehensive analysis, including publicly available data and intelligence gathered under the codename "Saaremaa." This material reportedly included scientific data from the Wuhan Institute of Virology, located in the city where the pandemic first emerged. The intelligence agency’s conclusions pointed to risky research practices, potential breaches of laboratory safety protocols, and experiments that may have involved manipulating viruses—known as gain-of-function research. Yet, despite the gravity of these findings, neither the German public, the World Health Organization, nor even the country’s parliamentary oversight committee were informed.
This bombshell aligns with parallel assessments from other intelligence agencies, such as the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which has also leaned toward a lab-leak scenario, albeit with lower confidence, as reported by Reuters on the same day. China, however, has consistently denied any involvement, with its government and the Wuhan Institute of Virology asserting no role in the virus’s creation or release. Beijing has accused Western nations, particularly the U.S., of politicizing the issue, while promoting alternative theories, such as the virus originating from frozen food imports or natural zoonotic transmission at a Wuhan market.
The implications of this secrecy are profound. Had the lab-leak hypothesis been publicly acknowledged in 2020, the global response to the pandemic might have differed significantly. Critics argue that resources could have been redirected from broad, often ineffective measures like lockdowns and contact tracing—designed for naturally spreading viruses—to targeted protections for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, while allowing healthy individuals to maintain normal lives. The ripple effects could have spared the world from mass unemployment, school closures, and the social and economic fallout that followed.
Now, this revelation has sparked outrage and renewed calls for accountability. Many are questioning why German leaders chose to suppress such a pivotal finding, especially given its potential to alter international health policies and diplomatic relations with China. The contrast between the BND’s high-confidence assessment and the public narrative of the time—where lab-leak theories were marginalized—has fueled accusations of a cover-up, with some arguing that political and economic ties with China may have influenced the decision.
As investigations continue, experts and the public alike are demanding a transparent, independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. The German government has remained tight-lipped, with officials refusing to comment on intelligence matters, while scientists and policymakers worldwide grapple with the fallout. This shocking disclosure not only underscores the complexity of the pandemic’s origins but also serves as a stark reminder of the need for openness and truth in the face of global crises. The full story of COVID-19’s beginnings remains elusive, but this revelation has undeniably shifted the conversation, challenging long-held assumptions and demanding answers.