Germany has arrested a nationwide on fees of spying for the Chinese language secret service and leaking data from the European Parliament, Germany’s federal prosecutor’s workplace mentioned on Tuesday.

The person was additionally accused of spying on members of the Chinese language opposition in Germany, in accordance with a CNBC translation.

The alleged spy was named as Jian G. and recognized as an worker of a German member of the European Parliament since 2019.

Native media has reported that the MEP in query is Maximilian Krah of the far-right AfD. Their places of work are reportedly subsequent to one another within the parliament in Brussels, however the alleged spy has not been seen there, native media was advised.

CNBC couldn’t independently confirm this data.

A spokesperson for the AfD advised CNBC that experiences of the arrest of Krah’s worker are “deeply regarding,” in accordance with a CNBC translation, with out straight confirming whether or not such a detainment had taken place. The get together would do every thing to help the investigation, the spokesperson added.

“In January 2024 the accused repeatedly shared details about negotiations and choices within the European Parliament together with his intelligence service employer,” the German federal prosecutor’s workplace mentioned in an announcement, in accordance with a CNBC translation.

G. was arrested on Monday, in accordance with the prosecutor’s workplace, and a decide is about to determine about an arrest warrant and custody preparations on Tuesday. The allegations observe an investigation by German home intelligence providers.

“Whether it is confirmed that there was espionage for Chinese language intelligence providers from inside the European Parliament, then that may be an assault on European democracy from inside. Whoever employs such an individual carries accountability,” Nancy Faeser, German inside minister, mentioned in a CNBC-translated post on social media platform X.

Individually on Monday, three different German nationals had been arrested on fees of sharing data pertaining to German analysis about new applied sciences which have a navy use with China’s secret service, the federal prosecutor mentioned.

The Chinese language Embassy in Germany didn’t instantly reply to a CNBC request for remark.

The Chinese language Overseas Ministry on Tuesday rejected claims of espionage in Germany, saying the “hype” surrounding such accusations is aimed to discredit and suppress China, Reuters reported. The ministry additionally mentioned it hoped that Germany would cease utilizing the so-called spy risk to control political narratives, in accordance with Reuters.

Elsewhere, two U.Okay. residents had been additionally charged for allegedly spying for China on Monday.

Correction: This text has been up to date to replicate the timeline of when the 2 U.Okay. residents had been charged with alleged espionage.