Jian G., an employee of the AfD's lead candidate in the European elections, Maximilian Krah, allegedly spied for China. He was arrested in Dresden, accused by the Attorney General of acting as an agent for a foreign secret service in a particularly serious case.

Dresden

A worker affiliated with Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, identified as Jian G., has been arrested on allegations of espionage for China. The individual, employed by Maximilian Krah, who is the AfD’s lead candidate for the European elections, was apprehended in Dresden under charges of acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service, deemed by the Attorney General as a particularly grave case. This development highlights potential vulnerabilities within European parliamentary discussions to foreign surveillance and influence, specifically related to China's growing presence in the region.

According to German prosecutors, the suspect, referred to as Zhen Ji due to privacy considerations, is accused of transmitting confidential information from the European Parliament to China. German media coverage suggests that the leaked details pertained to strategic discussions on the security and defense implications of China’s influence over critical European Union infrastructure. Further allegations include Ji’s espionage activities against individuals in Germany critical of the Chinese government. The accused has served as an aide to Maximilian Krah, a member of the European Parliament representing the AfD. Krah has publicly stated his unawareness of his staff member's arrest and asserted that, should the allegations be substantiated, Ji would be terminated from his position.

Following these allegations, the European Parliament has taken immediate action by suspending Ji. The incident has sparked calls for more stringent measures and thorough investigations into the integrity of the so-called patriotic factions within the Parliament, especially concerning financial interactions with autocratic regimes worldwide. This case emerges in the wake of several espionage-related arrests in Germany and closely follows a visit to China by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, marking a period of heightened vigilance towards espionage activities within Europe. German Interior Minister highlighted the gravity of the accusations, emphasizing the potential implications for European democratic institutions if internal espionage is confirmed. Although China has officially denied any involvement in such activities, the case unfolds against a backdrop of concern over the security of democratic processes in Europe with upcoming European Parliament elections.



German far-right party worker arrested on spying charges

German prosecutors say Zhen Ji, whom we can't fully name, repeatedly passed on information to China about confidential discussions at the European Parliament. German media reports say this involved debates on security and defence implications of China's influence on the EU's critical infrastructure. He's also accused of spying on people in Germany who are opposed to the Chinese government. The German citizen has been working as an aide to Maximilian Krah, who sits in the European Parliament for the far-right AFD party. Krah said he had no prior knowledge of the arrest of his staff member. He promised if the allegations proved true, Zhen Ji would be fired. The European Parliament immediately suspended the alleged spy. Some say tougher measures are needed. It's really time that we have a thorough investigation and information what is going on there, that the so-called patriots are showing how weak they are in terms of taking money from autocrats from all over the world. A week after German Chancellor Olaf Schanz visited China, Germany has seen several arrests over suspected espionage. The German interior minister says the latest case is significant. The accusations of espionage for China are very serious. And if it turns out to be true that this espionage took place from within the European Parliament, it would be an attack on the internal constitution of democracy in Europe. China has so far officially denied any involvement in espionage. But as the EU prepares for elections to its parliament in June, this incident will add to growing fears that democratic institutions across Europe are being targeted by foreign intelligence agencies.

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