The European Parliament is tense as it is unclear what sensitive information potential spy Jian G. may have accessed. AfD politician Krah’s office has repeatedly requested sensitive documents from the EU Parliament’s trade committee through an internal online system. The committee’s chair Bernd Lange confirmed this, clarifying that the documents were marked as “limited/sensitive,” not as “restricted” as previously reported. It was revealed that Krahs Assistant Jian G. is suspected of spying for the Chinese intelligence service, including passing on parliamentary information to China. The full extent of the scandal is still unknown, causing uncertainty and mistrust among officials.
Investigations are ongoing to determine if there has been a leak of information in the Human Rights Subcommittee, where Krah is a member. Subcommittee chair Udo Bullmann stated that Krah has not been very active in the subcommittee and had not received or asked for sensitive information during his term. The Greens have called for a thorough internal investigation to determine if there was any inappropriate influence by representatives of third countries, including their diplomatic missions. This includes examining Krah’s access to confidential documents. The situation has raised concerns about the democracy being undermined, prompting calls for defending it.
Reports have emerged about Krah’s China-friendly stance within the AfD delegation in the EU Parliament. Krah often took a pro-China position in votes related to European policy toward China, leading the AfD delegation in being the most friendly toward Beijing. Documents revealed Krah’s attempt to persuade the AfD parliamentary group in the Bundestag to adopt a friendlier approach towards Chinese company Huawei and its involvement in Germany’s 5G network expansion. Krah denies any connection between his views on 5G and the trip he took to China financed in part by Huawei. Concerns have been raised about Krah’s positions and relationships with Chinese interests, sparking further scrutiny into his activities.
The Greens have written to Parliament President Roberta Metsola calling for a comprehensive internal investigation into the situation, urging clarity on any potential foreign influence on European affairs. The uncertainty surrounding the spy allegations and access to confidential documents has highlighted the need to protect democracy and defend against undermining. Krah has stated that an investigation he arranged found that Jian G. did not have access to classified documents. The lack of clear facts and information from authorities and intelligence services has created a climate of mistrust and insecurity among officials, adding to the complexity and seriousness of the situation.
Amid the espionage suspicion and potential leaks of sensitive information, the AfD faces scrutiny for its members’ connections and actions in the European Parliament. The scandal involving Krah and his assistant Jian G. has raised concerns about foreign influence, security breaches, and the protection of confidential materials. Calls for further investigations and the need to safeguard democracy and transparency have escalated as the full extent and implications of the scandal remain uncertain. The ongoing investigations and revelations continue to add to the tense atmosphere within the European Parliament, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic values and ensuring the integrity of parliamentary processes.
