Former Aide to German Far-Right MEP Sentenced for Spying for China
Jian Guo, a former aide to Maximilian Krah, a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison by a German court on Tuesday. He was convicted of spying for China, passing on information about negotiations and decisions in the European Parliament.
The Verdict and Allegations
The Higher Regional Court in Dresden found Guo guilty of acting as an agent for a Chinese intelligence service between 2019 and 2024. Prosecutors accused him of providing sensitive information to Chinese authorities and spying on Chinese dissidents within Germany. Guo denied all charges, with his lawyer demanding an acquittal due to insufficient evidence.
"I did not work for a Chinese intelligence service and I am innocent," - Jian Guo
Details of the Espionage
Guo worked as an aide to Maximilian Krah, gathering information on leading AfD politicians, including Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. He also allegedly spied on Chinese opposition figures and dissidents residing in Germany. Another individual, identified as Yaqi X., received a suspended 21-month sentence for providing Guo with information about flights, cargo, and passengers while working at a logistics company at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Reaction and Investigation into Maximilian Krah
At the time of Guo’s arrest, then Interior Minister Nancy Faeser called the spying allegations "extremely serious" and an attack on European democracy. China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the arrest as an attempt to smear China. Meanwhile, Krah, now a member of the Bundestag, is under investigation for bribery and money laundering in connection with Chinese payments. The Bundestag has lifted his immunity, opening the door for potential prosecution. He claims to have had no knowledge of Guo's activities.
Broader Implications and Concerns
The case has heightened concerns over Chinese espionage activities in Europe. The accusations against Guo and the investigation into Krah have also raised questions about the pro-Chinese and pro-Russian views of some AfD leaders. Krah's controversial statements minimizing the crimes of the Nazi SS led to his exclusion from the AfD's delegation in the European parliament and the party's expulsion from the Identity and Democracy (ID) group.
Key Figures Involved
| Figure | Role/Involvement |
|---|---|
| Jian Guo | Former aide to MEP Maximilian Krah, convicted of spying for China. |
| Maximilian Krah | Former MEP from the AfD, now a member of the Bundestag, under investigation for corruption. |
| Yaqi X. | Accomplice, received a suspended sentence for providing information to Jian Guo. |
| Nancy Faeser | Former Interior Minister, expressed serious concerns about the espionage allegations. |
The sentencing of Jian Guo underscores the ongoing concerns about foreign interference in European politics and the vulnerability of political institutions to espionage activities.
