In late September 2024, a Chinese national was arrested in Leipzig for allegedly spying on behalf of China, passing logistics and armament transport data from Leipzig/Halle airport to a detained former AfD assistant.

German federal prosecutors arrested Chinese citizen Yaqi X. in Leipzig on espionage charges. She worked in logistics at Leipzig/Halle airport and is accused of spying for China by collecting and transmitting detailed information on flights, cargo—including military shipments—and passengers associated with German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. The transmissions occurred between August 2023 and February 2024, channeled to Jian G., who served as assistant to AfD MEP Maximilian Krah and was arrested in April 2024 for spying for the Chinese Ministry of State Security. Jian G. is accused of spying on Chinese dissidents in Germany and supplying sensitive European Parliament information to China. Yaqi X. was placed in pre-trial detention and faces a prison sentence of up to five years. The case highlights ongoing Chinese espionage targeting European political and defense sectors.