A Chinese former aide to a German European Union parliamentarian representing Alternative für Deutschland was charged with spying for Beijing.

Jian Guo, aide to Member of European Parliament Maximilian Krah, was arrested last year after being accused of spying for Chinese intelligence. Authorities announced the charges on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. The German citizen was accused of working for Chinese intelligence since 2002, passing secrets to Beijing during his time as Krah’s aide in the European Union Parliament from September 2019 to April 2024.

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Guo, who remains in custody, was listed by prosecutors as Jian G., but was publicly identified by Krah previously. In a statement released after his arrest in April 2024, Krah said he wasn’t aware of the allegations until the arrest.

“I learned of the arrest of my employee Jian Guo this morning from the press,” he said. “I have no further information. Spying for a foreign state is a serious accusation. If the allegations prove to be true, this would result in the immediate termination of his employment.”

According to prosecutors, Guo used his position as an aide to acquire over 500 documents for Chinese intelligence, including some that the EU Parliament had labeled particularly sensitive. He also spied on Chinese dissidents within Germany.

Another Chinese citizen working in a logistics company, identified as Yaqi X., was also charged. Prosecutors allege she provided sensitive information from Leipzig airport, including military equipment transports and high-profile passengers.

The AfD has a cordial relationship with China, with Krah specifically open to cooperation with Beijing. In 2021, he voiced skepticism over claims regarding Beijing’s alleged genocide of its Uyghur minority, dismissing reports as “anti-Chinese propaganda without valid facts.”

Most concerns about foreign involvement with the AfD revolve around Russia. However, added scrutiny toward Chinese connections hasn’t tainted its popularity, which has continued to reach new highs.

The AfD recently emerged as the most popular party in Germany, a major development for a party once held as a pariah in German politics. Growing dissatisfaction with the status quo, especially regarding immigration, has sent flocks of voters into its ranks. The popularity is increasingly weakening the political “firewall” around the party, which has, so far, prevented it from joining the government.

AFD BECOMES MOST POPULAR PARTY IN GERMANY FOR FIRST TIME

Mainstream parties’ refusal to work with the AfD showed signs of weakness earlier this year when the Christian Democratic Union of Germany began adopting some AfD rhetoric and voted with it for the first time.

AfD’s new position may also shutter talks of outright banning the party, a controversial proposal that split mainstream lawmakers.