German Court Jails Far-Right MP’s Ex-Aide for Espionage

Dresden Court Sentences Jian G

A former aide to German far-right lawmaker Maximilian Krah has been sentenced to four years and nine months in prison for spying on behalf of China.

Conviction for Espionage

The court in Dresden ruled that Jian G acted as an agent for a Chinese intelligence agency while serving as a staff member in the European Parliament.

Accomplice Given Suspended Sentence

Alongside him, his associate Yaqi X received a suspended sentence of one year and nine months for her role in passing sensitive information.

Prosecutors Demanded Harsher Penalty

German prosecutors had initially pushed for a longer sentence of seven and a half years for Jian G, a German citizen who worked in Krah’s Brussels office from 2019 until 2024.

Long-Running Spy Activities

Investigators allege that Jian G had been working with Chinese intelligence since 2002, exploiting his role in the European Parliament to collect intelligence on EU policies and on the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Links to Military Intelligence

Prosecutors also claimed that Jian G acted as a handler for Yaqi X, who provided him with data on flight schedules and cargo at Leipzig Airport, including movements of military aircraft, drones, and troops.

Admission in Court

During the trial, Yaqi X admitted to transferring such information to Jian G, some of which included details on equipment bound for Israel.

Krah’s Response

Krah, now a Bundestag member in Berlin, insisted he did not know about the alleged espionage. He said he hired Jian G due to his language skills and business background.

Ongoing Scrutiny of Krah

The case has added further controversy around Maximilian Krah, who is already facing a separate probe into money laundering and suspected bribes linked to Chinese sources during his time as an MEP.

Political Repercussions

The revelations have intensified concerns over China’s influence in European politics, particularly as the AfD faces ongoing criticism for its ties to foreign interests.

Broader Espionage Concerns

This conviction marks one of several recent cases highlighting how European institutions are being targeted by foreign intelligence networks, raising fears of systemic vulnerabilities within the EU.