The German politicians who want to bar the AfD from government jobs
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BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
German spy trial of far-right MP's former aide begins
The former assistant to a leading member of Germany's far-right populist Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has gone on trial in Dresden, accused of spying for China. The German Chinese dual national, identified only as Jian G - in line with German privacy rules - was an assistant to AfD politician Maximilian G has been accused of working for a Chinese intelligence service since 2002, and charged by Germany's Federal Public Prosecutor allegedly gathered documents and files from the European Parliament while working for Krah, a former EU lawmaker, who now represents the AfD in Germany's Parliament, the Bundestag. Jian G denies all the charges against him. Prosecutors say he worked for the AfD at the European Parliament from 2019 until 2024, and accused Jian G of using the position to gather information for China on EU Parliament consultations and decisions, including what they described as some "particularly sensitive information."He is also charged with spying on Chinese dissidents and opposition figures in Germany, and of gathering personal information about leading figures in the AfD. The high-profile case has fuelled concern about Europe being a target for Chinese Stephan Morweiser told reporters that the case 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".When Jian G was taken into custody last year, China's foreign affairs ministry rejected his arrest as speculation designed "to smear and suppress China". It has denied allegations of espionage in Europe. Also on trial is a Chinese national named as Jaqi X. She worked at a firm that provided Leipzig airport with logistics mid-August 2023 to mid-February 2024, she is accused of assisting Jian G by repeatedly providing him with information for the Chinese intelligence service about flights, cargo, and passengers at Leipzig information related in particular to the transport of military equipment and people with connections to a German defence told the court she knew nothing about connections to the Chinese intelligence trial is expected to last until late September and reports in the German media say Maximilian Krah has been called to appear as a resigned from his seat in the European Parliament earlier this year. He was elected to the Bundestag in February via an AfD direct mandate in is currently under investigation by the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office, reportedly concerning allegations of money laundering and corruption as an elected representative in the European has called the accusations "absurd and politically motivated."
Sky News
2 days ago
- Sky News
Former assistant to AfD politician goes on trial over Chinese spy charges
A former assistant to a far-right member of the European Parliament has gone on trial accused of spying for China. Jian G worked in the parliamentary office of Maximilian Krah, a member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, who sat in the European Parliament between 2019 and 2025. Prosecutors claim Mr G, whose full name has not been released in line with Germany's privacy laws, had been working for a Chinese secret service since 2002. The German national is accused of gathering intelligence and confidential documents to pass on to Chinese officials while working for Mr Krah between September 2019 and April 2024. A second defendant, Chinese national Jaqi X, is accused of assisting him, having worked for a logistics company at Leipzig Airport, where she is alleged to have provided data on the transportation of defence goods, flights, freight, and passengers. Beijing has denied accusations of espionage in Europe. The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond on Tuesday to a Reuters request for comment on the German case. Krah is a controversial figure, even within his own party. China during his time in the European Parliament. He rejects the claims. The trial, at Dresden Court, is due to run until September.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Reuters
Ex-aide to far-right lawmaker on trial in Germany for China spying
DRESDEN, Germany, Aug 5 (Reuters) - A former assistant to a politician for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) went on trial in a German court on Tuesday, charged with spying for China's intelligence agency. The defendant, identified as German national Jian G. in line with German privacy rules, is suspected of having worked for a Chinese intelligence service since 2002, say prosecutors. Dresden court spokesperson Meike Schaaf said he was charged with gathering documents and files from the European Parliament while working for Maximilian Krah, a former European lawmaker who now represents the AfD in Germany's national parliament. Federal prosecutors argue some documents were partially confidential and they also accuse him of collecting personal information on the leadership of the AfD and of spying on Chinese opposition members and dissidents. The high-profile case has fuelled concern about Europe being a target for Chinese spying. Beijing has denied accusations of espionage in Europe. The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond on Tuesday to a Reuters request for comment on the German case. The case has also put a spotlight on the pro-China and pro-Russia views of some senior members of the AfD, which is currently polling at 25%, level with the ruling conservative bloc, a weekend Forsa survey showed. A woman, identified as Chinese national Jaqi X., is also on trial. She is charged with helping Jian G. between August 2023 and February 2024 by providing information about flights at Leipzig airport related to the transportation of equipment and people with connections to a German arms company. Jian G. has been in detention since his arrest on April 2024 and Jaqi X. since September 2024. The court spokesperson said that if convicted, Jian G. would face a jail term of between one and 10 years due to the serious nature of the intelligence agency activity for a foreign power. Less serious cases could see a fine or up to five years in jail. Court dates have been scheduled until the end of September.
