1st October 2024 – (Leipgzig) German authorities have arrested a Chinese woman suspected of espionage activities centred around Leipzig/Halle Airport, a pivotal node for Germany’s defence logistics. Yaqi X, 38, employed at a logistics company operating within the airport, is accused of transmitting sensitive information about military transport operations to Chinese intelligence.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is renowned for its role in the expedited transport of defence materials, including those destined for Ukraine amid ongoing military tensions in the region. According to the German prosecutors, Yaqi X had engaged in the illicit transfer of data concerning flight schedules, passenger identities, and specifics of military cargo to a known affiliate of China’s secret services.
The arrest is linked to an earlier case involving Jian G, who was detained for similar espionage activities earlier this year. Jian G previously served as an aide to Maximilian Krah, a member of the European Parliament representing Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. His arrest shed light on potential vulnerabilities within European political circles to foreign espionage.
The investigation reveals that from August 2023 to February 2024, Yaqi X allegedly provided Jian G with detailed reports on movements of armaments and personnel associated with Rheinmetall, Germany’s largest defence contractor. Rheinmetall has been heavily involved in supplying Ukraine with critical military supplies, including weapons and armoured vehicles, making the information she passed highly sensitive.
The implications of this espionage are vast, impacting not only national security but also the integrity of European defence mechanisms at a time when the continent grapples with complex military engagements. The case ties back to ongoing concerns over foreign interference in vital defence and political arenas, highlighting a pattern of targeted intelligence gathering by Chinese operatives within Europe.
The post Chinese national arrested in Leipzig for allegedly spying on German defence transports appeared first on Dimsum Daily.
English (US) ·