Die Memos des Ex-Krah-Aids könnten deutsch weit rechts in China Spy Trial entlarven

BERLIN – The espionage trial against Maximilian Krah's former parliamentary assistant starts on Tuesday, amid reports that it could reveal sensitive memos about the far-right Alternative for Germany.

The staffer, identified as Jian G, was arrested shortly before the 2024 European elections on charges of spying for China. Prosecutors allege he collected some 500 sensitive parliamentary documents in Brussels between 2019 and 2024, while working for Krah, a former AfD MEP, who is now a German MP.

Tuesday's hearings could bring delicate AfD matters to light, which G allegedly recorded in several memos, some of which were revealed by German media last week.

According to German magazine Der Spiegel, the memos are part of the evidence in the case and contain information on planned internal coups, business plans of AfD MPs, as well as on the personal life of Alice Weidel, the AfD’s co-chair.

Krah told G during a breakfast meeting in Prague in January 2024 that the AfD’s second co-chair, Tino Chrupalla, was looking to topple Weidel, Der Spiegel reported.

Chrupalla had let Weidel take the spotlight as lead candidate in the 2025 German elections, Krah reportedly said, in the hope of becoming the sole leader of the AfD if Weidel stumbled due to “her weakness and lack of leadership qualities."

The AfD MP also allegedly disclosed the identity of the sperm donor for one of Weidel’s children with her female partner.

Der Spiegel reported that Weidel’s love life was likewise discussed during a meeting of G and Jan Wenzel Schmidt, another AfD MP, at a restaurant in Magdeburg, Germany. The MP reportedly claimed that the AfD leader was “not as tough and determined” as she appears in public but still too popular to be replaced by Krah, for example. 

Schmidt also pitched a business idea to G on selling synthetic diamonds, one of which was reportedly handed to G as a demonstrator.

Krah in the crosshairs

Both Krah and Schmidt have largely denied the claims made by the reports.

Krah told Der Spiegel that he didn't recall a meeting in Prague and denied conversations about internal and private matters, presuming that G simply took note of general rumours. Schmidt acknowledged the Magdeburg meeting, but denied that he discussed business or Weidel's private life.

Thirteen days have been earmarked for the trial, with Krah himself expected to testify on 3 September. 

The MP, who was elected to the Bundestag in this year’s German elections, had his own immunity lifted by the German parliament in May in relation to the trial as prosecutors are investigating charges of money laundering and bribery.

Der Spiegel reported that businesses affiliated with G allegedly paid some €50,000 to law firms that Krah worked for. 

Neither Krah nor Schmidt responded to requests for comment by the time of publication. 

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