Berlin -- A Sudanese man was convicted Thursday of espionage and given a suspended 18-month prison term for conducting surveillance of Sudanese exiles and human-rights activists in Germany.

At the start of his trial last month, the man who has not been named by officials, admitted observing other Sudanese, and making video films of them, for a fee of 100 euros ($155) monthly. The accused, 40, has been in custody since his arrest six months ago.

The court ruled the man was being paid by an official of the Sudanese embassy in Berlin from August 2006 until his arrest in October.

Evidence showed Khartoum wanted to monitor the actions of German-based opponents of its Islamist policies and actions in Darfur.

The sentence was in accord with a plea bargain. The accused told the Berlin court he had been desperate for money to pay his critically ill father's medical bills. He said he could only get odd jobs in Berlin.

DPA