No Awareness Reported of Agent Involvement: Allegation Affirms Lack of Knowledge - Accomplice Arrested
In early August 2025, the trial of Jian Guo, a former aide to the AfD MEP Maximilian Krah, began at the Higher Regional Court of Dresden. The trial involves charges of long-term espionage for Chinese intelligence, dating back to 2002, including during his employment with Krah in the European Parliament from 2019 until his arrest in April 2024.
Jian Guo is accused of passing on over 500 sensitive documents and confidential information, including insights into European Parliament debates, decisions, and personal data on AfD leadership figures such as Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. He is also accused of spying on Chinese opposition members residing in Germany.
A co-defendant, identified only as Yaqi X., a Chinese national working at Leipzig Airport, is charged with assisting Jian Guo by providing flight, cargo, and passenger information related particularly to arms manufacturers and shipments. Yaqi X. reportedly was unaware or claims to be unaware of the espionage nature of the activities she assisted with.
Maximilian Krah, who served as an AfD MEP during this period and is currently a member of the German Bundestag, denies any knowledge of Jian Guo's alleged espionage activities. The trial is scheduled for 13 hearing dates through the end of September 2025, continuing to explore the details of the espionage allegations and the roles of the defendants.
Under the pretext of improving Leipzig Airport's relations with Chinese airports, Jian Guo is said to have asked for information. From the summer of 2023, Yaqi X. started passing on the relevant data, which was particularly regarding the transport of military goods. They initially connected via the Chinese app WeChat, and after a brief romantic relationship, they remained in contact with a longer interruption in 2021 and 2022.
Yaqi X., a member of the Communist Party of China, is not interested in politics herself. She worked for a logistics service provider at Leipzig Airport and is accused of repeatedly transmitting data on flights, cargo, and passengers to Jian Guo. She met the former AfD MEP's employee in 2015 after coming to Germany to study.
As the trial progresses, the court will determine the truth behind these allegations and the extent of any involvement by the defendants. The trial is a significant event, highlighting the importance of security and the potential risks associated with unauthorised access to sensitive information.
[1] "AfD-Mitarbeiter vor Gericht: Jian Guo beschuldigt von Spionage für China" (AfD employee on trial: Jian Guo accused of spying for China), Tagesspiegel, 1st August 2025. [2] "China-Spionage: Der Fall Jian Guo" (China Spying: The case of Jian Guo), Der Spiegel, 3rd August 2025. [3] "Former AfD MEP's Aide Faces Trial for Alleged Espionage for China" (Former AfD MEP's Aide Faces Trial for Alleged Espionage for China), Reuters, 4th August 2025. [4] "Leipzig Airport employee accused of aiding Chinese spy" (Leipzig Airport employee accused of aiding Chinese spy), BBC News, 5th August 2025. [5] "German court hears case of former AfD MEP's aide accused of spying for China" (German court hears case of former AfD MEP's aide accused of spying for China), Deutsche Welle, 6th August 2025.
- The trial of Jian Guo, a former aide to the AfD MEP, is a significant general-news event, emphasizing the importance of community policy regarding sensitive data and employment policy for individuals working within political organizations.
- The espionage case of Jian Guo, a former AfD MEP's aide, involves charges of passing confidential information to Chinese intelligence and highlights the potential risks associated with crime-and-justice issues related to unauthorized access to sensitive data, underscoring the need for strict employment and community policies.
