Information
A German court has sentenced Jian Guo, a former aide to far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) politician Maximilian Krah, to four years and nine months in prison for spying for China. Guo, a German national, worked for Krah in Brussels for five years while Krah served as a Member of the European Parliament. Prosecutors accused Guo of passing confidential EU documents to Chinese intelligence and monitoring Chinese dissidents in Germany, with evidence suggesting he had been collaborating with Chinese agents since 2002. Despite the court deeming it a particularly serious espionage case, Guo maintained his innocence throughout the trial, denying any ties to Chinese intelligence.
The case has heightened concerns about Chinese espionage activities within the European Union and further complicated Krah’s political standing. Krah, who said he first learned of the allegations through the media, distanced himself by claiming he boosted his office security after Guo’s arrest. The AfD politician, who resigned from the European Parliament after winning a Bundestag seat in February, is now separately under investigation for alleged money laundering and corruption, charges he has dismissed as politically driven. Another figure linked to the case, a Chinese woman identified as Yaqi X, received a suspended sentence after admitting to providing flight and cargo data but denying any intent to spy.
Source: Reuters, BBC, AP
So What
Despite his denial, it is almost certain that Guo was knowingly cooperating with Chinese intelligence. However, it is likely that Krah was unaware that Guo was supplying information directly to China, although he may have had some suspicions. While Krah might cooperate with Chinese intelligence if it aligned with his worldview, it is likely that this possibility was thoroughly investigated by German intelligence and law enforcement.
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