Allegations of espionage against the Alternative for Germany (AfD) have been raised by the interior minister of the state of Thuringia. In an interview with Handelsblatt, Social Democrat (SPD) Georg Maier expressed concern that the AfD is abusing its parliamentary powers to gather information about Germany’s transport infrastructure, water supply, digital infrastructure and energy supply.
There are multiple well-documented cases of AfD politicians colluding with Russian state actors (Petr Bystron, Maximilian Krah), and the same is true for many other figures in the European extreme right. Even if these people weren’t actively passing on information, which they probably are doing, they are far too stupid to not accidentally leak information to the Russian secret service.
Just to make sure we do not spread misinformation here:
Maximilian Krah is accused of spying for China, not Russia. Same goes for his former aide Jian G.: he is convicted on a charge of espionage for China.
I was referring to their activities for Voice of Europe, a Russian news organization that provided lucrative speaking gigs to both Bystron and Krah and many other right-wing politicians. The full-blown espionage that Krah was also involved in through his aide (Jian G.) is a separate matter. I was trying to “steel-man” the argument that, even if by ignorance, they pass on information at least recklessly. Sorry, I should’ve specified what “actors” I meant.