Trial for alleged spying involving ex-AFD politician Krah
In the Higher Regional Court of Dresden, a high-profile trial is currently underway against two defendants, Jian G. and Jaqi X., accused of spying for a Chinese intelligence service. The trial, which began in early August 2025, is scheduled to continue through the end of September with multiple hearing days planned.
Jian G., a former assistant to AfD MEP Maximilian Krah, is accused of passing confidential European Parliament documents and intelligence on AfD leadership and Chinese dissidents to Chinese secret services since 2002. He allegedly worked with Krah from 2019 to 2024. Jian G. denies the charges, arguing that he was focused on foreign trade and fostering China-Germany relations.
Jaqi X., a member of the Communist Party of China but who states she has no interest in politics, is accused of providing data on flights and freight involving defense equipment. She became suspicious when her ex-lover asked about a charter flight transporting military vehicles of Rheinmetall to Portsmouth and sent the data list despite personal concerns.
Prosecutors describe the case as highlighting extensive Chinese espionage efforts targeting German political, economic, and military interests. Jian G. has been in pretrial detention since April 2024, and Jaqi X. since September 2024. Krah himself faces a separate investigation not directly related to the espionage charges.
The Krah employee expressed a particular interest in military-related information, and the relationship between the two defendants began in 2015 after Jaqi X. came to Germany for studies. They maintained contact through the Chinese app WeChat.
Jaqi X. denies awareness of espionage activities, stating that her activities were not directed at passing on information and she never agreed to do so. The Krah employee asked Jaqi X. for information under the pretext of improving Leipzig Airport's relations with Chinese airports.
The defendant, while working as an assistant in Krah's office, was mainly involved with the topic of foreign trade and had tasks related to China due to his origin and language skills. Their relationship was initially romantic, but later became platonic with periods of separation.
From September 2019 until his arrest in April 2024, the defendant collected information and passed on partly confidential documents to Chinese authorities while working in Krah's office in the European Parliament. The co-defendant, Jaqi X., is accused of assisting the defendant by transmitting data on flights, cargo, and passengers, particularly regarding the transport of military goods, to the defendant while working at Leipzig Airport.
The trial against the co-defendants is scheduled for 13 trial dates until the end of September. Both defendants continue to deny espionage, and their lawyers dispute the prosecution's evidence and intent. The trial reflects heightened concerns about Chinese intelligence operations in Germany.
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- This high-profile trial, centered around policy-and-legislation and crime-and-justice, unfolding in the Higher Regional Court of Dresden, showcases Chinese espionage efforts targeting German political, economic, and military interests.
- The trial, a significant event in general-news, follows the accusations against Jian G., a former AfD MEP Maximilian Krah's assistant, and Jaqi X., a member of the Communist Party of China, for spying for a Chinese intelligence service, with hearings scheduled through September.
