Aide to German EU lawmaker detained over alleged China espionage

Jian G., an aide to German EU lawmaker Maximilian Krah of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has been detained by authorities in Dresden on charges of espionage for China. Jian G., who has been employed in the European Parliament since 2019, is suspected of transmitting sensitive information about EU parliamentary activities to Chinese contacts. In addition to leaking details on EU negotiations and decisions, the suspect is also accused of conducting surveillance on Chinese dissidents residing in Germany.

The arrest is part of a broader investigative sweep which saw three other Germans apprehended the previous day. Those individuals are accused of spying for China as well and are involved in allegations of transferring potentially military-use technology to Chinese entities. The series of arrests underscores growing concerns about espionage activities in Germany and the broader European Union, particularly in relation to China. The cases are currently under investigation, and prosecutors have not released further details at this time.