BERLIN (AP) — A prominent German far-right lawmaker said Wednesday that he will dismiss an assistant who was arrested on suspicion of spying for China, but will remain the Alternative for Germany party’s top candidate in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Maximilian Krah’s assistant, Jian Guo, was arrested Monday. Prosecutors accuse Guo — a German national who had worked for Krah since his election to the European Union legislature in 2019 — of working for a Chinese intelligence service and of repeatedly passing on information on negotiations and decisions in the European Parliament in January.
Prosecutors allege that he also snooped on Chinese dissidents in Germany. On Tuesday night, a judge ordered Guo held in custody pending a possible indictment.
The arrest cast an unflattering light on the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, which already faced criticism for having Russia-friendly positions. The European Parliament elections will take place June 9 in Germany.
Man accused of firing a gun on a North Carolina university campus taken into custody
China Adds 2 Golds in Short Track Speed Skating at Gangwon 2024
Movies Featuring Women's Strength Popular in China's Cinema
China's Sanya Witnesses Peak Season for Tourism
UnitedHealth says wide swath of patient files may have been taken in Change cyberattack
Laba Festival Gathering for Migrant Children in Xi'an
Street Dance in China — from Niche to Pop Culture Phenomenon
Across China: Tourism Rejuvenates Ancient Korean Ethnic Folk Village
Is US banning TikTok? All you need to know
Chinese premier holds talks with Dominican PM
Outrage as Columbia president Minouche Shafik cancels all in
Thriving marathon industry in China brings health and new opportunities