Chinese woman held in Germany for spying on arms firm

A Chinese pistillate has been arrested successful Leipzig connected suspicion of passing accusation astir Leipzig/Halle airport, which is utilized arsenic a cardinal transport hub for the German defence industry, to Chinese intelligence.

German prosecutors said that Yaqi X, 38, had been moving for a institution providing logistics services astatine the airport.

Prosecutors said she had repeatedly sent details connected flights, passengers and subject cargo transport to different fig who worked for China's concealed services. The airdrome is considered an important centre for defence exports, peculiarly to Ukraine.

A 2nd suspect, Jian G, was detained earlier this year.

He had worked arsenic an adjutant for a subordinate of the European Parliament from Germany's far-right AfD party.

Yaqi X was remanded successful custody and her location and workplace searched.

Between August 2023 and February 2024, prosecutors allege she had fixed Jian G accusation connected the transport of subject instrumentality and radical linked to an unnamed German arms company.

German sources told nationalist broadcaster ARD that the defence institution progressive was Rheinmetall, Germany's biggest defence steadfast which has been heavy progressive successful supplying Ukraine with weapons, armoured vehicles and subject equipment.

Yaqi X's lawsuit appears to beryllium linked to a spying lawsuit that unfolded past April involving parliamentary adjutant Jian G.

The MEP helium had worked for, Maximilian Krah, dismissed Jian G arsenic his assistant. Krah's bureau successful Brussels was searched by police, though determination was nary denotation that helium was involved.

Jian G was alleged to person spied connected Chinese dissidents successful Germany arsenic good arsenic passing accusation connected the European Parliament to Chinese intelligence.

He had antecedently worked for dissident groups and had taken up German citizenship aft coming to Germany successful 2002.