BERLIN — In a significant development, German authorities have charged a former assistant to a far-right lawmaker with espionage on behalf of the Chinese intelligence services. The individual, identified as Jian G., served as an aide to Maximilian Krah, a prominent member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, from 2019 until his arrest in 2024.
Accusations and Investigation Details
The German federal prosecutor’s office alleges that Jian G. managed to obtain over 500 documents, some of which are classified as particularly sensitive. The investigation suggests he was not only gathering intelligence on leading figures within the AfD but also spying on members of the Chinese opposition and dissidents residing in Germany. This was reportedly done under the guise of being a critic of the Chinese government on social media platforms. According to prosecutors, Jian G. has been affiliated with the Chinese secret service since 2002.
Responses from AfD and Political Implications
Maximilian Krah, who has recently taken a seat in the German parliament, has publicly rejected any knowledge of his former aide’s espionage activities. “I was obviously deceived,” he expressed, adding that he needs to exercise greater caution in future hiring decisions. A spokesperson for the AfD indicated that the party had yet to determine the nature of the intelligence that Jian G. had allegedly gathered about its members or leadership.
A report by Spiegel revealed that investigators found documents in Jian G.’s office written in Chinese, which contained detailed evaluations of the hierarchy and influence of senior AfD officials, including party leaders.
In connection with this case, a woman identified as Yaqi X., who was employed at a logistics firm at the Leipzig/Halle airport, has also been charged as an alleged accomplice. Arrested in October 2024, she is suspected of supplying Jian G. with sensitive information regarding the transportation of military equipment and individuals associated with a German arms manufacturer.
Currently, both Jian G. and Yaqi X. remain in custody, while Krah has not been named as a defendant in the ongoing espionage proceedings. However, it is worth noting that preliminary investigations were initiated against Krah in 2024 concerning alleged payments received from entities in Russia and China—a claim he vehemently denies.