Trial for alleged espionage involving ex-AfD politician Krah
In a sensational trial that began in August 2025, Jian Guo, a former assistant to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) MEP Maximilian Krah, stands accused of spying for Chinese intelligence services since 2002. The trial, scheduled to continue into September, has shed light on allegations of espionage, information sharing, and the gathering of sensitive data.
Jian Guo, a German national whose full name is withheld under German privacy laws in most reports, is accused of collecting political, economic, and military-related information for Chinese intelligence services. During his tenure with Krah in the European Parliament from 2019 until his arrest in April 2024, Jian Guo is alleged to have accessed over 500 sensitive files [1][2][3][4][5].
The indictment claims that Jian Guo shared particularly sensitive EU Parliament documents and insights about discussions and decisions within it. He is also accused of gathering intelligence on AfD party leaders, including Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla [2][3].
Another individual, a Chinese national named Yaqi X, is co-accused of assisting Jian Guo by providing logistical data related to defense goods and flights at Leipzig Airport [3][4].
Jian Guo denies working as an agent for the Chinese intelligence service, claiming his activities were not directed at passing on information. However, evidence obtained from the surveillance of Jian Guo has been included in the trial, despite a defense lawyer's application to have it excluded.
One of Jian Guo's contacts, Jaqi X, began providing information to him in the summer of 2023, including a passenger list of a charter flight transporting military vehicles from Rheinmetall. Jaqi X only found out about Jian Guo's suspected espionage activities when the media reported on his arrest. Jaqi X admitted to passing on information to Jian Guo, believing it would improve relations between China and Germany.
Despite the allegations, Jaqi X claims to know nothing about the alleged espionage. Maximilian Krah, the former employer of Jian Guo, was a member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2025 and is now a member of the German Bundestag.
Jian Guo's primary role in Krah's office was related to foreign trade, with additional tasks involving relations with China. He showed particular interest in information with military relevance.
The trial against Jian Guo and Jaqi X is scheduled for 13 sessions until the end of September. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have significant implications for German-Chinese relations and the security of sensitive information within the European Parliament.
[1] [Source] [2] [Source] [3] [Source] [4] [Source] [5] [Source]
- The sensational trial regarding Jian Guo, a former assistant to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) MEP Maximilian Krah, has revealed accusations of him collecting not only political information, but also economic and military-related data for Chinese intelligence services.
- The trial also involves another individual, Yaqi X, a Chinese national, who is co-accused of gathering logistical data related to defense goods and flights at Leipzig Airport, and providing it to Jian Guo.
