The leader of the AfD parliamentary group, Tino Chrupalla, has stated that he sees no reason to distance himself from AfD member Petr Bystron despite reports of possible covert payments. Chrupalla believes that the reports are based on “dubious sources.” He has not seen any evidence of wrongdoing on Bystron’s part and does not believe there is any reason to advise against his participation in election events. Bystron is currently ranked second on the AfD’s candidate list for the European elections on June 9th.
The Czech newspaper “Denik N” reported that Bystron is suspected of being in contact with the pro-Russian internet platform “Voice of Europe” (VoE), which was recently added to the Czech government’s national sanctions list. Bystron is also suspected of possibly accepting money from this platform. According to the newspaper, Bystron’s name was mentioned during a cabinet meeting, with references to the Czech domestic intelligence service BIS claiming they had audio evidence of money being exchanged. Bystron has denied these allegations and will address them during a telephone conference with the AfD federal executive committee.
Bystron is a member of the Bavarian AfD regional association and serves as the spokesperson for the AfD parliamentary group in the Foreign Affairs Committee. He has categorically denied the allegations, referring to them as unsubstantiated accusations and claims. Bystron will have the opportunity to defend himself against these allegations during the upcoming telephone conference with the AfD federal executive committee. Despite the controversy surrounding Bystron, the AfD parliamentary group leader, Chrupalla, has stated that he sees no grounds to distance himself from Bystron.
The allegations against Bystron have raised concerns about potential ties to a pro-Russian internet platform and covert payments. The Czech government has recently placed the platform on its national sanctions list, indicating potential links to disinformation campaigns. Bystron’s alleged involvement with this platform and possible financial transactions have sparked controversy and speculation. Chrupalla’s decision not to advise against Bystron’s participation in election events has drawn criticism and calls for further investigation into these allegations.
As the controversy surrounding Petr Bystron continues to unfold, the AfD leadership is facing pressure to address the allegations and take appropriate action. Bystron’s denial of the accusations and the lack of concrete evidence pose a challenge for the party as they navigate this issue. The AfD’s response to the situation and their handling of Bystron’s alleged involvement with a pro-Russian internet platform will be closely watched as the European elections approach. The party’s stance on this matter could impact their electoral prospects and reputation in the public eye.
