The German Bundestag has lifted the immunity of AfD politician Petr Bystron. This decision allows for an investigation into allegations that Bystron accepted money for interviews with a pro-Russian network. The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office conducted a search of Bystron’s Bundestag office, with the support of all parliamentary groups except the AfD. The General Prosecutor’s Office in Munich confirmed that searches were also taking place in Berlin, Bayern, and Mallorca as part of an investigation into potential bribery and money laundering.
Bystron has denied the allegations that he received money for interviews published on the pro-Russian network “Voice of Europe.” The General Prosecutor’s Office in Munich emphasized that the presumption of innocence should be maintained until any potential conviction. Bystron, who represents the Munich-North district, has been a member of the AfD in the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee since 2017. Additionally, he has held positions as the party’s foreign policy spokesman and represented them in organizations such as the Council of Europe and the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Bystron and fellow AfD politician Maximilian Krah have been under scrutiny for their possible connections to pro-Russian networks in recent weeks.
In response to the lifting of Bystron’s immunity and the search of his offices, AfD parliamentary leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla described the events as significant and called for a swift conclusion to the investigations. They expressed concern that the timing of these actions could be interpreted as an attempt to influence the upcoming European election campaign. The AfD leadership hopes that the investigations will be concluded promptly to avoid suspicion of political interference from authorities and prosecutors.
The General Prosecutor’s Office in Munich confirmed that the searches involved 11 prosecutors and around 70 police officers from the Bavarian LKA, focusing on gathering documents and data for further analysis as potential evidence. The searches took place in various locations in Bayern, including Munich, Erding, and Deggendorf, and included locations of individuals not directly implicated in the investigation. Bystron was unavailable for comment on the situation, and the ongoing investigations raise questions about the transparency and integrity of political figures in Germany.
The investigation into Bystron’s alleged acceptance of money for interviews with a pro-Russian network has brought attention to the activities and potential ties of AfD politicians to external networks. With ongoing scrutiny into their connections, the AfD leadership remains cautious about the impact this investigation could have on their party’s image and reputation. The lifting of Bystron’s immunity signals a significant development in the investigation, with potential implications for the political landscape as Germany prepares for upcoming elections. The investigation into Bystron’s actions highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in political representation, as allegations of corruption and misconduct continue to be a concern for voters and authorities alike.
