Maximilian Krah, AfD’s leading candidate in the EU elections, says he will continue as top candidate after his assistant was arrested on suspicion of spying for China. Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa via AP / NTB
Of NTB | 24.04.2024 13:24:05
Crime and justice: Krah’s assistant was arrested on Monday, suspected of spying for China at the European Parliament and Chinese opposition figures in Germany. After a crisis meeting with the leadership of Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Berlin on Wednesday, Krah said that he would not be present when the party officially begins its election campaign this weekend.
– But if you now think that this is the end of my top candidacy, then I have to disappoint you. I am and will continue to be the top candidate, Krah said.
The politician further said that he will change his election campaign strategy before the EU elections in June, but that he has no plans to talk about the accusations against the assistant.
– The goal for us is to talk about Europe and to let this matter be dealt with as it should, namely in the judiciary, said Krah.
He added that the espionage charges are an unpleasant matter.
Krah’s assistant was arrested in Dresden on Monday, accused of passing information from the EU Parliament to China. The Chinese government describes the accusations as fabrications and claims that they are an attempt to smear China.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Tuesday described the case as “an attack on European democracy” and said the espionage charge was “extremely serious”. Whoever has such an employee bears the responsibility, she said further.
(© NTB)