Police have arrested a staffer working for a German far-right member of the European parliament on charges of spying for China. Jian Guo, an employee of Maximilian Krah, was accused by Germany’s federal prosecutor of being covertly employed by China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS).
The arrest is the latest in a series of cases where alleged Chinese spies have been uncovered in high-level parliamentary positions across Europe, raising concerns among European security authorities about Beijing’s aggressive attempts at political subterfuge.
German intelligence services have recently warned of a deteriorating security situation, with both China and Russia increasing their efforts to gain economic, technological, and political advantages in Europe.
Maximilian Krah, the lead candidate for the far-right Alternative for Germany party in the upcoming European parliament elections, expressed shock at the allegations against Guo and stated that if proven true, it would result in immediate termination of employment.
This spy scandal is not the first to involve the AfD, as the party is still dealing with accusations against another candidate, Petr Bystron, who is being investigated for allegedly spreading Russian propaganda in Europe.
The arrest of Guo comes on the heels of news that three German nationals were apprehended for spying for Beijing, further highlighting the growing concerns over foreign interference in European politics. The case underscores the need for heightened vigilance and security measures to protect European democracy from external threats.