Spy trial initiates against ex-employee of Krah company commences - Trial commences for former associate of Krah accused of spying
In Dresden, Germany, the trial of a former aide to Maximilian Krah, a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Alternative for Germany (AfD), has commenced. The accused, Jian G., is charged with espionage for the Chinese intelligence service [1][2][3].
Jian G., a German national, is alleged to have been spying for China since 2002, including during his tenure as Krah's parliamentary assistant from 2019 to 2024 [1][4]. Prosecutors claim he unlawfully accessed and passed on over 500 "particularly sensitive" documents from the European Parliament to Chinese authorities, including information about debates and decisions relevant to German political, economic, and military matters [1][4].
Additionally, Jian G. is accused of collecting personal data on German AfD party leaders, which could have been damaging to the party internally [3][4]. A second defendant, Yaqi X., is also on trial. She is alleged to have aided Jian by providing details on flights, cargo, and passengers at Leipzig Airport, especially concerning shipments related to arms manufacturers [3][4].
Maximilian Krah has denied any knowledge of espionage by his former aide and stated he never discussed internal party matters with Jian G. Krah, who served as an AfD MEP until 2025 and is currently a member of the Bundestag, is himself under investigation on unrelated money laundering and corruption charges linked to businesses connected with Jian G. [1][4][5].
If convicted, Jian G. could face up to 10 years in prison, while Yaqi X. faces a maximum of five years [5]. The trial, taking place at the Higher Regional Court in Dresden, is scheduled with multiple hearing dates extending through September 2025 [3].
It is important to note that this case involves long-running espionage allegations against Maximilian Krah’s former aide, accused of spying for Chinese intelligence and passing sensitive EU parliamentary documents, with wider concerns about espionage targeting German political and economic interests [1][2][3][4][5].
[1] BBC News [2] Deutsche Welle [3] Reuters [4] The Local [5] The Guardian
- The trial in Dresden, Germany, highlights the need for community policies to address espionage, given the alleged long-running case of a former aide to Maximilian Krah, a German politician, spying for Chinese intelligence services and unlawfully passing sensitive EU documents.
- As the trial progresses, general-news outlets are closely monitoring the case, which involves not just political espionage but also crime-and-justice matters, such as the vocational training Jian G., the accused, is alleged to have received to carry out his spying activities from 2002 onwards.
