A staffer who labored for a excessive profile German member of European Parliament for years has been arrested on fees of spying for Chinese language intelligence, Germany’s federal prosecutor’s workplace announced on Tuesday.
Recognized solely as Jian G., he had reportedly been a employees member for German MEP Maximilian Krah going again to 2019. Krah is with what mainstream media generally dubs the “far-right” AfD (Various for Germany social gathering).
“In January 2024 the accused repeatedly shared details about negotiations and selections within the European Parliament together with his intelligence service employer,” the prosecutors office said.
The suspect has additionally been accused of spying on and monitoring Chinese language opposition communities inside Germany. Beijing has lengthy been suspected within the West, together with the US, of conserving shut tabs on the political leanings and activism of expat enclaves by way of a community of spies linked to consulates.
German inside minister Nancy Faeser subsequently introduced on X, “Whether it is confirmed that there was espionage for Chinese language intelligence companies from inside the European Parliament, then that might be an assault on European democracy from inside. Whoever employs such an individual carries duty.”
The investigation into “Jian G”, who was detained Monday, was led by German home intelligence companies. Latest days and weeks have seen different arrests in Europe of suspected Chinese language spies, together with a pair within the UK in current days.
On Tuesday China’s international minister reacted by denouncing the “hype” surrounding such circumstances, describing it as extra anti-China propaganda geared toward political manipulation and to ratchet strain on Beijing.
In accordance with Politico, “The bombshell arrest, which rocks the AfD whereas it polls in second place nationally, sparked calls from one high European lawmaker for a more durable crackdown on Chinese language and Russian infiltrators trying to affect EU democracy.”
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