Far-right German lawmaker’s ex-aide on trial for alleged China espionage

BERLIN

The trial of a former staffer for Germany's far-right AfD party began Tuesday, with defense attorneys firmly rejecting allegations of espionage for China.

Jian Guo, a former staff member for AfD politician Maximilian Krah in the European Parliament, stands accused of operating as a Chinese intelligence operative. According to prosecutors, he shared sensitive documents with Chinese officials.

On the first day of the trial in Dresden, Guo's lawyer characterized his client as a committed employee who mainly focused on foreign trade issues in Krah's office. While the lawyer acknowledged that Guo communicated with Chinese officials as part of his duties, he emphasized that no sensitive information was passed on to them.

Federal prosecutors allege that Guo operated as a Chinese intelligence operative beginning in 2002 and continued his espionage work while employed as Krah's parliamentary assistant from September 2019 until his arrest in April 2024. He was also accused of conducting surveillance on Chinese opposition figures in Germany on behalf of the intelligence service.

Another Chinese national, Yaqi X., is also on trial as Guo’s alleged accomplice. She worked for a logistics company at Leipzig Airport and allegedly provided him with flight, cargo, and passenger data, particularly concerning arms manufacturers and their shipments.

The Higher Regional Court in Dresden has scheduled 13 hearing dates through the end of September. Krah, who served in the European Parliament from 2019 to 2025, is now a member of the German parliament and has denied any knowledge of his former assistant's alleged espionage activities.