German police have detained Jian G, an aide to Maximilian Krah, a Member of the European Parliament from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, on allegations of espionage for China. The arrest occurred in Dresden, and it is believed that Jian G had been passing sensitive information about the European Parliament’s operations to the Ministry of State Security in China.
The arrest was announced amid broader concerns in Europe about potential foreign interference in the forthcoming EU elections in June. Reports suggest that the information relayed to China included details on parliamentary negotiations and decisions, as well as intelligence on Chinese opposition figures residing in Germany.
The investigation has also touched on other aspects of Krah’s connections, including his potential involvement in a Russian influence operation, which was identified by Czech intelligence earlier this month. These developments come at a time when Krah is the AfD’s lead candidate in the upcoming elections, positioning the case within a broader geopolitical context involving both China and Russia.
Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, described the espionage as a serious threat to European democracy, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation to uncover all related connections and backgrounds. The AfD has responded to the arrest by expressing concern and awaiting further details from ongoing federal investigations.
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