Chinese spy in Leipzig: airport employee arrested!

Chinese spy in Leipzig: airport employee arrested!

A Chinese woman was arrested in Leipzig in a significant case of suspected espionage. The federal prosecutor's office had her taken into custody on suspicion of having passed on information about flights, cargo and passengers on behalf of a Chinese secret service. This arrest is another indication of ongoing concerns about foreign intelligence activities in Germany.

The arrest took place on Monday, with the evidence directly pointing to the Chinese citizen's work at Leipzig/Halle Airport. She was employed by a logistics company and is said to have transmitted confidential information about air traffic between mid-August 2023 and mid-February 2024. Of particular concern are the reports that the data transmitted also included the transport of military equipment and people with connections to a German defense company.

Links to previous espionage allegations

In addition, the arrested Chinese woman is linked to another espionage case. She is said to have passed on information to a Jian G., who previously worked for the AfD politician Maximilian Krah and is also suspected of having worked for the Chinese secret service. According to the Federal Prosecutor's Office, Jian G. is accused of researching Chinese opposition members in Germany and passing on confidential information about political processes in the European Parliament.

The investigation against the Chinese woman was initiated after there were indications of her alleged espionage activities. Her home and workplace were searched to secure further evidence. Experts point out that such cases not only concern national security, but also represent a concern for international relations, especially in the context of tensions between Germany and China.

Current relevance and impact

The arrest highlights the ongoing challenges for the security authorities in Germany, which have to deal with foreign intelligence activities. The case has the potential to increase discussion about security measures and the need for controls at the international level, particularly in sensitive areas such as the defense industry.

According to reports, the arrest has also caused a stir in the political sphere, with many MPs concerned about the ability of the secret services to operate in Germany. The Federal Prosecutor's Office will now continue to pursue the case and attempt to clarify the exact circumstances of the alleged espionage activity.

For more information, see the current reporting on www.tagesschau.de.