Current:Home > InvestGermany’s parliament lifts immunity for prosecution of a far-right lawmaker-LoTradeCoin
Germany’s parliament lifts immunity for prosecution of a far-right lawmaker
best strategies for lotradecoin trading View Date:2024-12-25 12:48:02
BERLIN (AP) — German lawmakers on Thursday lifted the immunity from prosecution of one of the far-right Alternative for Germany party’s top candidates in the upcoming European Parliament election as he faces an investigation.
The German parliament’s lower house, or Bundestag, voted to lift Petr Bystron’s immunity to clear the way for searches in connection with the investigation. Lawmakers from Alternative for Germany, or AfD, abstained.
Prosecutors in Munich said they were investigating a member of the Bundestag on an “initial suspicion” of corruption and money laundering, without offering more details. They would not identify the lawmaker, but German news agency dpa and other media reported that it was Bystron.
Prosecutors said properties in Berlin, Bavaria and on the Spanish island of Mallorca were being searched Thursday and documents and other evidence seized.
Bystron is currently a lawmaker in Germany’s national parliament but is the no. 2 on his party’s list for the June election to the European Union’s legislature. Last month he denied allegations in a Czech daily that he may have received money from a pro-Russian network.
AfD’s co-leaders, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, said in a joint statement that the lifting of Bystron’s immunity and searches of his home and office space were “a serious event” and that no proof has been offered so far for the accusations against him.
They said AfD’s parliamentary group hopes for a quick conclusion to the investigation so that the impression doesn’t arise of an attempt by authorities to influence the European Parliament election campaign.
The investigation adds to events that have cast an unflattering light on AfD, which has enjoyed strong support in recent months.
Last month, an assistant to Maximilian Krah, a European Parliament lawmaker who is the top candidate on AfD’s list for next month’s election, was arrested on suspicion of spying for China. German government and mainstream opposition lawmakers have assailed the party for its alleged closeness to Russia and China.
On Monday, a court ruled that Germany’s domestic intelligence agency was justified in putting the party under observation for suspected extremism. AfD has portrayed the designation as a political attempt to discredit the party and said it will seek to appeal.
And on Tuesday, another court ruled in a separate case that Björn Höcke, the leader of one of AfD"s regional branches and one of the party’s best-known figures, knowingly used a Nazi slogan in a speech and ordered him to pay a fine.
veryGood! (786)
Related
- Lil Durk suspected of funding a 2022 murder as he seeks jail release in separate case
- Who among a sea of celebrities makes Deion Sanders say 'wow'? You'll never guess.
- Trump's N.Y. business empire is 'greatly at risk' from judge's fraud ruling
- Lebanese Armenians scuffle with riot police during protest outside Azerbaijan Embassy
- 'Mary': How to stream, what biblical experts think about Netflix's new coming
- Yelp sues Texas to keep crisis pregnancy center description labels
- Olympic skater's doping hearing adjourned in shocking move; more delays ahead
- Spanish griffon vultures are released into the wild in Cyprus to replenish the dwindling population
- GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit
- Must-see highlights from the world's top golfers as they battle at the 2023 Ryder Cup
Ranking
- Luigi Mangione's Lawyer Speaks Out in UnitedHealthcare CEO Murder Case
- Peruvian man arrested for allegedly sending bomb threats when minors refused to send him child pornography
- Orioles announce new 30-year deal to stay at Camden Yards
- AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa
- New Jersey, home to many oil and gas producers, eyes fees to fight climate change
- 8 Jaw-Dropping Sales You Don't Want to Miss This Weekend: J.Crew Factory, Elemis, Kate Spade & More
- How Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Influenced the Condiment Industry
- Mississippi court reverses prior ruling that granted people convicted of felonies the right to vote
Recommendation
-
Trump will be honored as Time’s Person of the Year and ring the New York Stock Exchange bell
-
'Gen V', Amazon's superhero college spinoff of 'The Boys,' fails to get a passing grade
-
Could scientists resurrect the extinct Tasmanian tiger? New breakthrough raises hopes
-
Texas couple arrested for jaguar cub deal in first case charged under Big Cat Public Safety Act
-
This house from 'Home Alone' is for sale. No, not that one.
-
Have a complaint about CVS? So do pharmacists: Many just walked out
-
Sweden says the military will help the police with some duties as gang violence escalates
-
Man arrested in shooting at Lil Baby concert in Memphis