In Germany, authorities have arrested a staff member affiliated with the far-right Alternative for Germany party. Prosecutors have disclosed that the individual was engaged in espionage activities on behalf of China.

German prosecutors announced on Tuesday that law enforcement had detained a member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party, suspecting them of espionage.

According to reports, in January, the individual purportedly divulged details regarding negotiations and rulings within the European Parliament to their intelligence contact on multiple occasions.

Furthermore, they are alleged to have conducted surveillance on Chinese dissidents in Germany for the intelligence agency.

The arrest follows closely after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's recent visit to China, where he advocated for Beijing to adopt a firmer stance against Russia concerning the conflict in Ukraine.

Jian G., the employee in question, serves as an assistant to Maximilian Krah, the top candidate of the AfD for the European Parliament elections.

Investigators suspect that Jian G. may have leaked information regarding parliamentary activities to China's Ministry of State Security.

The individual, accused of engaging in espionage for a foreign intelligence service in a particularly grave manner, was apprehended by authorities from the Saxony State Criminal Police Office in Dresden.

Prosecutors have stated that police conducted searches at residences associated with the suspect.

"A prosecution statement described the charges as an exceptionally serious instance of collaboration with a foreign intelligence service," they remarked.

It's claimed that the individual has been employed by Krah, a currently serving German member of the European Parliament, since 2019. According to German broadcasters, the accused resides in both Brussels and Dresden.

The accused was scheduled to appear before an investigating judge at Germany's Federal Court of Justice later on Tuesday.

The court will determine whether pre-trial detention is warranted.

Following the announcement of the arrest, the European Parliament stated that the aide had been suspended from their duties.

In response to the news, Krah remarked that espionage for a foreign nation is a "grave accusation."

"I was informed about the arrest of my staff member [...] through the media this morning," Krah stated.

"I currently lack further details. Should the allegations prove to be true, it will lead to the immediate termination of [the suspect's] employment with me."

Krah has a history of engagement with China, having traveled there in the early 2000s following his studies and doctoral work in Dresden. He spent time in Hong Kong and Shanghai during his travels.

He has taken a pro-China stance, dismissing reports of human rights abuses such as internment camps in Xinjiang for Uyghurs and other minorities as "anti-China propaganda."

Additionally, he has maintained that Taiwan falls under Beijing's jurisdiction according to international law and that Tibet is rightfully part of China's territory.

Green Party lawmaker Konstantin von Notz expressed his view to the RND news network, interpreting the recent arrest as indicative of the AfD's authoritarian tendencies.

"Notably, the AfD is a party that advocates for dictatorship," he emphasized to RND.

He elaborated, stating, "Ultimately, this is the direction the AfD envisions for Germany. It openly displays its disdain for our democracy and constitutional state. This predisposes its politicians to susceptibility to influence and manipulation from China and Russia. This isn't isolated; it reflects a systemic issue within the entire party."

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser underscored the gravity of the espionage allegations, labeling them "extremely serious."

"If the reports of espionage for Chinese intelligence within the European Parliament are substantiated, it constitutes an assault on European democracy from within," Faeser asserted in a statement.

She emphasized accountability, stating, "Those who employ such individuals also bear responsibility. This case demands thorough investigation. Every connection and underlying factor must be brought to light."

German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann voiced concern over the news, emphasizing the necessity of severe repercussions if the accusations are validated.

"If these allegations are confirmed, it strikes at the core of our democracy," Buschmann remarked.

He continued, "Members of Parliament and their staff play a crucial role in serving our democracy. The accusations here directly contradict that. Such actions cannot be tolerated."

The AfD party responded, labeling the arrest as "deeply concerning."

"As we await further information on the case, we must defer to ongoing investigations by federal prosecutors," stated party spokesman Michael Pfalzgraf.

Police apprehended the suspect on Monday night, mere hours after three German citizens were arrested under suspicion of collaborating with China's Ministry of State Security to transfer technology potentially applicable for military purposes.

DW's security correspondent, Thomas Sparrow, remarked that while the detentions "may not be directly linked, based on current information, they certainly highlight alleged Chinese espionage activities in Germany."

He noted, "The chief of Germany's domestic intelligence agency emphasized to DW this week that China maintains an active presence in Germany."

Sparrow further elaborated that German security authorities have cautioned about a surge in Chinese operations, characterizing them as broad and aimed at long-term objectives.

"The scope extends beyond political espionage, encompassing the acquisition of sensitive data with potential economic or military applications," he concluded.