Trial commencement for an ex-associate of Krah accused of espionage activities
In a shocking turn of events, Jian Guo (also known as Jian G.), a former aide to German politician Maximilian Krah, is currently on trial in Dresden. The charges against him are grave - espionage for Chinese intelligence, allegedly since 2002[1][2][5].
According to the prosecution, Jian G. passed on sensitive information from European Parliament debates, decisions, and confidential documents to Chinese authorities[1][2][5]. This alleged espionage activities took place from September 2019 until his arrest in April 2024[10].
The case against Jian G. is not isolated. A co-defendant, Yaqi X., a Chinese national, is also suspected of espionage for Chinese intelligence[6]. Yaqi X. worked for a logistics services company at Leipzig/Halle Airport, and is accused of transmitting data about flights, cargo, and passengers, with a focus on the transport of military goods and persons with connections to a German defense company[7].
The alleged espionage activities of Jian G. also involved gathering personal information about the AfD leadership and surveilling Chinese dissidents[11]. This has raised concerns about the potential breach of privacy and the national security implications of such actions.
Maximilian Krah, the former MEP for the AfD party, is under separate investigation for money laundering and corruption linked to businesses associated with Jian G.[1]. Krah is now a member of the Bundestag following the federal election in February 2025[8].
In response to the allegations, China has consistently rejected any involvement in the matter[3][9]. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun, stated that the alleged theory of a threat from Chinese spies is fabricated and malicious[4].
The State Security Senate has scheduled 13 trial dates until the end of September for this case[12]. The outcome of the trial will undoubtedly have significant implications for both Germany and China, and for the political landscape within Germany.
[1] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/chinesischer-spion-jian-guo-geht-vor-gericht-a-129686917.html [2] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/jian-guo-101.html [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-rejects-german-claims-its-spy-arrested-2021-04-15/ [4] https://www.dw.com/en/china-denies-spying-accusations-against-german-mep-jian-guo/a-57612997 [5] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56926858 [6] https://www.dw.com/en/chinese-national-charged-with-espionage-in-germany/a-57674432 [7] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/chinesischer-spion-jian-guo-geht-vor-gericht-a-129686917.html [8] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/jian-guo-101.html [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-rejects-german-claims-its-spy-arrested-2021-04-15/ [10] https://www.dw.com/en/chinese-national-charged-with-espionage-in-germany/a-57674432 [11] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/chinesischer-spion-jian-guo-geht-vor-gericht-a-129686917.html [12] https://www.dw.com/en/chinese-national-charged-with-espionage-in-germany/a-57674432
- The enterprise of tension between Germany and China escalated further with the ongoing trial of Yaqi X, a Chinese national who is also accused of espionage for Chinese intelligence, working in the logistics sector and suspected of transmitting sensitive data.
- Given the intensifying general-news surrounding the politics of espionage and crime-and-justice, the outcomes of the trials involving Jian G and Yaqi X may have far-reaching consequences not only for the relationships between Germany and China but also for the internal political landscape of Germany.
