Court Hearings Begin for Former Advisor of Far-Right German Politician, Charged with Spying
In a dramatic turn of events, a significant espionage trial has begun in Dresden, Germany. At the heart of the case is Jian G, a former assistant to Maximilian Krah, a far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) politician and former member of the European Parliament (2019–2024).
Jian G is accused of spying for Chinese intelligence services since 2002. The allegations suggest that he was tasked with collecting confidential documents from the European Parliament and gathering intelligence while working for Krah from September 2019 to April 2024.
The charges against Jian G, presented by Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor General, include sharing sensitive information with Chinese authorities, collecting personal data on AfD leadership, and monitoring Chinese opposition figures and dissidents in Europe.
A co-defendant in the trial is Jaqi X, a Chinese national employed by a logistics company at Leipzig Airport. She is accused of assisting Jian G by providing data on the transportation of defense goods, flights, freight, and passengers, which allegedly supported the espionage activities.
The trial is expected to continue until September 2025. Jaqi X has denied any knowledge of links to Chinese intelligence, while Jian G has yet to comment on the allegations.
Maximilian Krah, the former aide to whom Jian G served, has labeled the unfolding allegations as "absurd and politically motivated." Krah, who was elected to the Bundestag in February through an AfD direct mandate, remains a controversial figure within the AfD party and German politics more broadly.
The case has raised alarms regarding Chinese espionage activities in Europe. Krah is currently under investigation by the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office over allegations of money laundering and corruption in his capacity as a lawmaker, though he has rejected the spying claims.
Jian G, who holds both German and Chinese nationality, is accused of gathering critical documents and files from his work at the European Parliament. Since 2002, he has been linked to operations for a Chinese intelligence agency. The information supplied by Jaqi X was particularly related to the transport of military assets connected to a German defense company.
The trial involves a former aide to a prominent member of the AfD party, adding an intriguing political dimension to the proceedings. As the trial unfolds, the public and the political landscape of Germany will be closely watching the developments.
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