# Maximilian Krah

Maximilian Krah was born on 28 January 1977 in Räckelwitz and is a lawyer. He was an MEP from 2019 to March 2025 and then entered the Bundestag for Chemnitzer Umland – Erzgebirgskreis II. In May 2024 the Identity and Democracy group expelled the AfD after his aide's arrest and his remarks about the Nazi era ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_Krah)). He was the AfD's lead candidate for the 2024 European election ([tagesschau](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/afd-krah-durchsuchungen-100.html)). On 30 September 2025 the Dresden Higher Regional Court convicted his former aide Jian Guo of spying for China. Guo had collected information on party leadership figures while working for Krah in 2019–2024 and passed partly confidential documents to Chinese authorities ([DW](https://www.dw.com/en/germany-ex-afd-aide-convicted-of-spying-for-china/a-74183401)). He was sentenced to four years and nine months ([BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99g52y7k1xo)). Dresden prosecutors opened a bribery and money-laundering investigation into Krah over Chinese payments in May 2025. The Bundestag lifted his immunity in September 2025 ([Bundestag](https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw37-de-immunitaet-1108370)), and further searches followed. Krah rejects the accusations as "politically motivated" ([tagesschau](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/afd-krah-durchsuchungen-100.html)). He has not been charged or convicted. Hypothesis (labeled): that Chinese money bought influence through Krah's office. It would be confirmed by an indictment or a court finding in the Dresden probe.

### Questions people ask

#### Was Maximilian Krah's aide convicted of spying?

Yes. Jian Guo was convicted in Dresden on 30 September 2025 of espionage for China ([DW](https://www.dw.com/en/germany-ex-afd-aide-convicted-of-spying-for-china/a-74183401)).

#### Is Krah himself under investigation?

Yes. Dresden prosecutors are investigating him for bribery and money laundering linked to Chinese payments, and he denies wrongdoing ([tagesschau](https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/afd-krah-durchsuchungen-100.html)).

#### Why was the AfD expelled from the ID group?

The Identity and Democracy group expelled the AfD in May 2024 after the aide's arrest and Krah's remarks about the Nazi era ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_Krah)).

## Dated facts

_No published facts on this page yet._

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/people/maximilian-krah