Trial initiation for former companion of Krah on charges of espionage
A high-profile trial is set to begin in Dresden, Germany, as Jian G., a former assistant to Maximilian Krah, a politician from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, stands accused of espionage for a Chinese intelligence service. The trial, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, follows an indictment against Jian G. and another defendant, Jaqi X., in April 2024[1][2].
Jian G., a German national, is alleged to have worked for a Chinese secret service since 2002. During his tenure as an assistant in Krah's European Parliament office from September 2019 until his arrest in April 2024, he is accused of gathering sensitive documents and passing them on to Chinese authorities[1][2].
The charges against Jian G. include the collection of particularly sensitive files, the gathering of personal information about the AfD leadership, and spying on Chinese dissidents[1][2]. In addition, Jaqi X., a Chinese national, is also on trial for allegedly assisting Jian G. by providing data related to transportation of defense goods and other logistics, leveraging her work at Leipzig Airport[1].
Maximilian Krah, who served on committees for international trade, human rights, security and defense, and the delegation for relations with the USA, has rejected these allegations. However, the trial continues to bring attention to espionage concerns within European political institutions involving Chinese intelligence operations[1][2][3].
The State Security Senate has scheduled 13 trial dates until the end of September for the cases of Jian G. and Jaqi X.[1]. The Federal Prosecutor's Office searched Jian G.'s and Krah's offices in the European Parliament in Brussels shortly after Jian G.'s arrest[1].
It is not the first time that China has been accused of espionage activities in Germany. In 2021, a Chinese student was expelled from the University of Freiburg for allegedly spying for China[4]. The Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that the so-called theory of a threat from Chinese spies is fabricated and malicious[1].
The trial for Jian G.'s espionage case is set to shed light on the extent of Chinese intelligence operations within European political institutions and the potential risks they pose to European security and democracy[1][2][3].
[1] The Guardian [2] Deutsche Welle [3] BBC News [4] The Local
- The trial of Jian G, a former assistant to a German politician, is not only about general-news but also politics, as it brings attention to espionage concerns within European political institutions, especially involving Chinese intelligence operations.
- The case of Jian G, a German national, accused of spying for a Chinese intelligence service, falls under crime-and-justice, as it involves the collection of sensitive documents and personal information, and spying on Chinese dissidents.
