China espionage trial in Germany exposes AfD links and arms secrets
The Dresden trial of two suspected Chinese spies has been deemed ‘unprecedented’ for exposing Beijing’s espionage in German politics and military
Two suspected spies for China, including a former assistant to far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) lawmaker Maximilian Krah, went on trial in the eastern city of Dresden on Tuesday.
The German national, who is only named as Jian G, in line with Germany’s strict privacy laws, allegedly worked for Chinese intelligence from 2002, including while working in the office of then-MEP Krah between 2019 and 2024.
He is accused of using that position to pass on more than 500 documents, some deemed highly sensitive, to Beijing as well as information about decisions and debates at the European Parliament.
Jian G is also accused of being the handler for a second alleged operative, a Chinese national partially named as Yaqi X., who is accused of spying on German arms manufacturers.
Prosecutor Stephan Morweiser told reporters that the case was “without precedent” in terms of Chinese spying activity in Germany.
He said it was “particularly serious” as it shed light on “the extensive espionage interests that China has in relation to political, military and economic matters in Germany and the EU”.