German public prosecutors have taken a strong step in a serious legal matter. They are attempting to take away a lawmaker from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s legal immunity.
Lawmaker’s Immunity Under Threat
This action comes after a criminal investigation began into allegations of bribery and money laundering.
This means the politician may lose his protection from legal actions usually given to lawmakers. This legal protection is called immunity, and it prevents lawmakers from being taken to court while they are still in office. But if there are serious accusations, prosecutors can request for it to be lifted so a full investigation can take place.
The prosecutors hail from the eastern German city of Dresden. They confirmed that they are looking into a case of bribery and possible illegal money transactions. These actions reportedly happened when the politician was a member of the European Parliament. The case may also involve payments from Chinese sources.
Even though the prosecutors have not officially revealed the name of the politician, local media outlets have shared that the investigation is likely focused on one of the newly elected members of the German parliament from the AfD party. The lawmaker had joined the national parliament after elections that took place in February.
Germany’s Spy Agency Officially Declares AfD an Extremist Threat to Democracy
The politician’s office has not responded to media questions about the case. No official statement has been made by the accused lawmaker at this point.
Ties to Earlier Espionage Arrest
The latest legal actions are linked to an earlier arrest. A former aide of the same lawmaker was arrested last month by German authorities. That individual is accused of gathering information for China’s intelligence services. He allegedly spied on Chinese citizens who were against the Chinese government and lived in Europe.
According to reports, the arrested assistant gathered around 500 significant documents. These documents were meant for Chinese authorities and included highly sensitive materials. Some of these were even marked as classified by the European Parliament, meaning they were not for public access.
This earlier arrest drew public attention and concern, especially because the materials reportedly involved matters of international interest and privacy. The man under arrest was also accused of misusing his position to help foreign intelligence services, something considered extremely serious under German law.
Although the former aide is in custody and facing accusations of spying, the politician at the center of the new investigation has not made any public comments about the matter. Even after the arrest of his aide, the lawmaker has remained silent and has not spoken to the media or the public.
Shocking Revelations: Germany’s €113 Billion Gold Treasure Still Trapped in Foreign Vaults
Past Allegations Resurface
This is not the first time there have been concerns surrounding this particular political figure. Two years ago, while serving as a member of the European Parliament, there were rumors that the same aide might be working to influence policies in favor of China. At that time, the lawmaker rejected the claims, calling them false and hurtful.
Those earlier rumors did not lead to any formal action at the time. But now, with an ongoing investigation, prosecutors appear to be looking into whether those earlier concerns were justified. The focus of the current case is on bribery—suggesting the lawmaker may have accepted illegal payments in exchange for political favors—and also money laundering, which means hiding where money really came from, especially if it was obtained illegally.
These actions are treated very seriously in Germany. Bribery and money laundering not only break the law, but they can also damage the public’s trust in government institutions. This is why stripping a lawmaker of immunity is a major step—it allows legal authorities to investigate without restrictions.
Germany Blocks Jet Deal with Turkey Amid Hamas Talks and Democracy Crackdown
As of now, there is no confirmed statement from the lawmaker. The case is ongoing, and prosecutors are gathering evidence as they proceed. The move to remove parliamentary immunity shows that the authorities are treating the case with urgency and seriousness.
This development adds to a growing list of legal challenges and concerns surrounding certain political groups in Germany, especially as questions rise about outside influence and political integrity.