A man employed by prominent German far-right lawmaker Maximilian Krah has been charged with espionage for China over a four-year period, according to federal authorities. Jian Guo, a German citizen, is accused of working for a Chinese intelligence service and relaying sensitive information regarding European Parliament negotiations from September 2019 until his arrest in April 2024. Guo allegedly received over 500 documents, including highly classified materials, during his employment, which began in 2002. He also reportedly monitored Chinese dissidents residing in Germany.
Additionally, another suspect, identified as Yaqi X., a Chinese national working in logistics, has been charged for aiding Guo by providing intelligence about airport operations in Leipzig, including flight details and military equipment transport affiliated with a German arms company.
China’s foreign ministry has dismissed these allegations, claiming they are exaggerated efforts to undermine China. Guo’s arrest sheds a negative light on the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which already faced backlash due to its pro-Russia stance. Krah, the former boss of Guo, did not respond to requests for comments but previously claimed there was no wrongdoing on his part, promising to investigate the matter. Under controversy, Krah was barred from participation in the E.U. elections after making questionable remarks about the Nazi SS unit’s actions during World War II. Despite this, he achieved a parliamentary seat after the AfD’s significant electoral success.
The AfD’s rise in the German Bundestag has established it as a noteworthy political player, though mainstream parties continue to maintain a “firewall,” refusing collaboration.
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