BERLIN (AP) — A man works for a prominent far-right German lawmaker. european parliament Authorities announced Tuesday that he was arrested on suspicion of spying for China. The arrests came less than 24 hours after three people were arrested on suspicion of Chinese espionage in a separate case in Germany.
The suspect was arrested on Monday in the eastern German city of Dresden, the federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement. He said he had been working for a German member of the European Union Parliament since 2019.
The German national works for Chinese intelligence and is accused of repeatedly disseminating information about negotiations and decisions at the European Parliament in January. Prosecutors allege he also spied on Chinese dissidents in Germany.
Prosecutors have not identified which member of parliament he belongs to, but Maximilian Kula of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, the party’s frontrunner in the European Parliament elections in early June, said in a statement that he had been arrested. He said he learned about it. Employee Jianguo spoke to reporters on Tuesday.
“We have no further information,” Kula said. He added that “espionage for a foreign country is a serious charge,” and if proven, the employee could be immediately fired.
German Interior Minister Nancy Feser said the spying allegations were “extremely serious”.
“If it is confirmed that there was espionage against Chinese intelligence from within the European Parliament, it would be an attack from within on European democracy,” Feiser said in a statement.
“Those who employ such staff also have a responsibility,” she added. “This case must be solved accurately. … All connections and context must be illuminated.”
News of the arrest came the next day. Three Germans suspected of spying for China A suspect who arranged the transfer of information about technology with potential military use was arrested in a separate case.
Also on Monday, British prosecutors revealed A former researcher who worked for the British parliament and another man have been charged with spying for China.
Asked in Beijing about the recent arrests in Germany, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said: “All recent reports in Europe about Chinese spies are being exaggerated with the aim of slandering and suppressing China.” Ta.
The Chinese government added that it called on “all relevant parties to stop spreading disinformation about the threat of Chinese espionage, and stop political manipulation and malicious slander against China.”
A week ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with top Chinese leaders in Beijing at the end of a diplomatic conference. 3 day trip To the country.
in strategies for relationships Regarding the release with China last year, the German government cited a “systemic conflict” with the Asian power and the need to reduce the risks of economic dependence, but it also said it would cooperate with China on issues such as climate change and seek a strong He emphasized his desire to maintain trade relations.
The document promised “decisive action” to counter Chinese espionage.
In Germany, dissatisfaction with Scholz’s three-party government is high, and Kula’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been doing well in opinion polls in recent months. The country has long been criticized for its pro-Russian stance.
“The AfD is endangering the security of Germany and Europe by being used by dictators,” said Katarina Barley, vice-president of the European Parliament and a leading candidate for Scholz’s centre-left Social Democratic Party in the next general election. ” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping “want to weaken Europe, and the AfD is instrumentalizing itself to that end,” Burley wrote on social network X.
