Investigators uncovered three sensitive documents that contained detailed assessments of key AfD officials, including party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, derived from confidential discussions with Krah.

Krah has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he was unaware of his former employee's espionage activities and only had official contacts with the Chinese embassy.

In light of these developments, former Justice Minister Marco Buschmann has warned of potential future espionage cases and called for stricter security checks to prevent foreign spies from infiltrating sensitive sectors.

Yaqi X. was arrested in September 2024 for allegedly supplying Jian G. with intelligence on military-related flights and cargo, indicating a broader espionage operation.

Additionally, Yaqi X., a Chinese national working at Leipzig/Halle Airport, has been charged for providing Jian G. with sensitive information related to military transport.

Jian G., a German citizen, has been implicated in espionage activities for Chinese intelligence since 2002 and was arrested in April 2024 in Dresden for allegedly obtaining over 500 sensitive documents from the European Parliament.

The Federal Prosecutor's Office announced the charges against Jian G. and his associates on April 29, 2025, following an investigation that has raised significant concerns about espionage in Germany.

Alongside Jian G., a former employee of AfD politician Maximilian Krah and another alleged accomplice have been charged with espionage.

Reports indicate that Jian G. posed as a critic of the Chinese government on social media to spy on members of the Chinese opposition in 2023 and 2024.

On the same day as Jian G.'s arrest, three other suspected spies linked to China were detained in Düsseldorf and Bad Homburg for attempting to acquire military technology.

China has dismissed the espionage allegations as slander, while the German government acknowledges increasing concerns about foreign interference in politics.

This incident underscores the growing scrutiny faced by political parties in Germany, particularly the AfD, regarding their ties to foreign entities amid rising tensions between China and Western nations.