A far-right German politician will continue to run in the upcoming European parliamentary elections despite allegations that his advisor was spying for China.

Maximilian Krah, who is a top candidate for the Alternative for Germany party (AfD) for the June vote, said he would dismiss his aide, Jian G, after he was arrested on Monday.

Prosecutors claim Jian G worked for Chinese intelligence and passed on information about negotiations and decisions in the European Parliament in January.

He is also accused of spying on Chinese dissidents based in Germany.

The Chinese-German national has worked for Krah since 2019.

His arrest at his home in Dresden earlier this week cast fresh scrutiny on the AfD, which has previously been criticised for being too friendly to Russia.

Mr Krah has said he knew nothing about his assistant’s alleged espionage but said his office would look into everything he had worked on.

Parliamentary researcher charged with spying for China

China floods: Four dead as cities submerged after days of record breaking rainfall

Beijing half marathon winner loses medal after competitors slowed down to let him win

“I am very much interested in clearing this up, and will endeavour to find out what exactly he is accused of,” Mr Krah told journalists in Berlin, adding: “The election campaign is, of course, being terribly overshadowed by this matter.”

The investigation is the latest controversy facing the far-right party which sparked national protests earlier in the year after some of its members attended a meeting where the mass deportation of immigrants and asylum seekers was discussed.

In an unrelated case, one of its leaders is also on trial for allegedly using Nazi language – a charge he denies.

News of Jian G’s arrest came a day after three Germans suspected of spying for China and arranging to transfer information on technology with potential military uses were arrested in a separate investigation.

Read more:
Germany arrests men allegedly spying for Russia
Skies over Athens turn ‘apocalyptic’ orange

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

On Wednesday, the German Chancellor called the spying allegations “very concerning” and urged more action to root out such cases.

Olaf Scholz was speaking at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in a week when both countries announced arrests related to alleged Chinese spying.

The recent arrests “shouldn’t make us complacent, but rather spur us to catch those who spy against us and our security in our countries,” Mr Scholz said.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The AfD in a statement on Wednesday said: “Any influence by foreign states through espionage, but also attempts to buy opinions and positions, must be investigated and firmly prevented.”

It added that Mr Krah will not take part in the upcoming election campaign kick-off event.

Sky News contacted Mr Krah for further comment.

Related posts:

‘Shocking imbalance’: WHO chief hits out at lack of vaccine doses for poorer countries Seven charged after mummified body of cult leader found festooned with fairy lights and glitter Delaying second COVID vaccine dose ‘could cut deaths by up to 20%’ Taliban take Afghanistan’s third-largest city as they push towards Kabul Five dead after ‘whale overturns small boat’ off New Zealand coast Russia orders troops to withdraw from front line positions after shock Ukrainian advance Gunshots reported as huge fire breaks out at Iran’s notorious Evin prison Tanks, peace talks, Putin and Boris Johnson: Key points from Kay Burley’s Zelenskyy interview Paralysed man walks again thanks to ‘digital bridge’ that reconnects brain and spinal cord Spain’s World Cup match-winner found out father had died after game Lampedusa nurse says ‘welcome everyone’ – as residents complain they have to wait for care Man accused of sending poison to people at risk of self-harm is charged with 14 murders