Germany: Espionage Trial of AfD-Linked Suspects Opens in Dresden

A Dresden court has begun the trial of Jian G., a former AfD aide, and Jaqi X., a logistics worker, for allegedly spying for China. Jian G. is accused of passing sensitive EU documents and AfD-related information to Chinese intelligence. Jaqi X. allegedly helped him access flight and defense transport data. Both deny intentional involvement. Prosecutors consider it a serious case tied to China’s broader surveillance in Germany and the EU.

A court in the eastern German city of Dresden has commenced the trial of two individuals accused of spying for China, a case that has drawn significant national attention due to the political connections involved.

One of the defendants is a former assistant to a lawmaker from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This individual, identified only as Jian G. in accordance with German privacy laws, stands accused of transmitting information to Chinese intelligence services dating back to 2002.

Jian G., the former AfD aide, faces charges of having provided intelligence to Chinese authorities over a span of decades. This period notably includes his tenure as an assistant to Maximilian Krah, who at the time served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the far-right populist AfD.

According to prosecutors in Dresden, Jian G. allegedly passed on information concerning internal European Parliament debates and decisions, as well as other sensitive data. He is believed to have illegally accessed over 500 documents marked as "particularly sensitive" by the Parliament. These documents were created during Krah’s parliamentary term from 2019 to 2025.

Further accusations suggest that Jian G., who was arrested in April 2024 in Dresden, also collected intelligence on senior AfD officials, including party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. Authorities are also investigating the possibility that he obtained sensitive internal details about the AfD itself — information whose disclosure could potentially damage the party's reputation. However, Krah has denied discussing internal party matters with Jian G., telling German magazine Der Spiegel that such topics were never shared with him.

The second accused, Jaqi X., worked for a logistics company that provided services to Leipzig Airport. She is alleged to have aided Jian G. in acquiring information about flights and passengers, with particular emphasis on the transportation of defense-related equipment.

Krah, meanwhile, is under separate investigation for possible money laundering and corruption, some of which may be connected to business dealings with companies tied to Jian G. He was also previously involved in controversy after making remarks seen as downplaying the atrocities committed by the Nazi SS. Despite these issues, Krah currently serves as a sitting member of the Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament, representing the AfD.

At the opening of his trial, Jian G. denied all accusations of espionage. His defense counsel dismissed the charges in court, asserting that Jian G. never agreed to transmit any sensitive information. The defense emphasized that G. was a dedicated employee, primarily involved in foreign trade matters. Due to his Chinese heritage and language proficiency, he was frequently tasked with handling relations with China and often participated in diplomatic discussions in that context.

The defense conceded that some of the individuals Jian G. interacted with might have had links to Chinese intelligence, but firmly argued that there is no evidence of any deliberate cooperation on his part.

For her part, co-defendant Jaqi X. testified in court that she had no knowledge of any intelligence-related affiliations between Jian G. and the Chinese government. However, she did acknowledge passing information to him, explaining that she believed he was working toward strengthening China-Germany relations through his role at the European Parliament and his association with the AfD.

Federal prosecutors have described the case as "particularly serious," citing it as an example of China’s broader surveillance operations targeting Germany and the European Union.

"This case is exemplary of China's intelligence efforts concerning Germany's political, economic, and military affairs," said Federal Prosecutor Stephan Morweiser, speaking outside the Dresden courtroom. He further claimed that the espionage activities not only focused on AfD leadership but also included monitoring German troop movements.

The trial is being held at the Higher Regional Court in Dresden and is scheduled to continue until the end of September. The court has set aside 13 days for hearings, during which it will hear from both defendants, witnesses, and experts in espionage and intelligence.