The Bavarian AfD state parliamentarian Daniel Halemba is facing new troubles after being accused of incitement to hatred. He is now also facing allegations of money laundering and property damage. Halemba, who is 22 years old, maintains that he is “firmly convinced” that he has not committed any criminal offenses. Following months of investigations into incitement to hatred, the Würzburg Public Prosecutor’s Office is now also looking into allegations of money laundering, coercion, and property damage against Halemba.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested that the state parliament revoke Halemba’s immunity as a member of parliament in light of the new allegations. The State Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs has given the green light to a plenary vote on lifting Halemba’s immunity, with the final decision set to be made during a plenary session on April 25. Halemba himself has welcomed the prospect of the facts being clarified through objective investigations, stating that he firmly believes he has not committed any crimes. He claims to have been deceived due to his good nature and has vowed to fully compensate for any damage caused.
Halemba has criticized the questionable investigations by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, alleging that non-politically engaged co-accused individuals had their cases dropped while he is being charged with unsubstantiated allegations. He expressed confidence that the new investigation will result in a dismissal or an acquittal. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Halemba remains a member of the AfD state parliamentary group in Bavaria. The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Würzburg has been investigating the incitement to hatred allegations against Halemba for several months, leading to a temporary arrest warrant which has since been lifted.
Halemba’s contentious history within the AfD includes being sanctioned with a two-year ban from holding party positions for manipulation during the state parliamentary election list formation. Despite calls from delegates at a state party conference for him to resign from his parliamentary mandate, he has refused to do so, with the state parliamentary group of the AfD in Bavaria expressing their support for him. Halemba’s future as a member of parliament remains uncertain as investigations into the latest allegations continue. His refusal to step down despite internal party pressures underscores the divisions within the AfD in Bavaria. The controversy surrounding Halemba adds to the ongoing challenges faced by the far-right party in the state.
