German Police Arrest AfD Lawmaker's Aide for Alleged Spying for China
Aide Identified as Jian G., Listed as Assistant to Far-Right Candidate
Investigation Raises Concerns About Chinese Espionage in European Parliament
German police have arrested the aide of a top European lawmaker working for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party over accusations of spying for China. The staffer, identified as Jian G., is believed to have worked for the Chinese intelligence services while serving as an assistant to AfD candidate Maximilian Krah in the European Parliament.
The website of Krah, the AfD's top candidate in the European Parliament elections in June, lists Jian Guo as one of his assistants. Krah has confirmed that Jian lived in Brussels, where the European Parliament is based, as well as in eastern Germany.
Krah said in a statement that he learned about the arrest of his employee, Jian, from the press on Tuesday morning. He expressed shock and concern over the allegations and said he would not comment further until more information is available.
The arrest of Jian G. has raised concerns about Chinese espionage in the European Parliament. The European Union has been increasingly critical of China's efforts to exert influence in the bloc, and the arrest of an AfD aide suspected of spying for Beijing could further strain relations between the two sides.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days. The arrest of Jian G. serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of espionage and foreign interference in European politics.
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