German law enforcement searches far-right politician suspected of receiving Russian funding

German law enforcement officers are conducting searches at the home of Petr Bystron, a politician from the right-wing populist party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD or Alternative for Germany), on Thursday, 16 May. Bystron is the party's number two in the European elections.

Spiegel reported that the Munich prosecutor's office initiated an investigation into Bystron. In this regard, searches were carried out on property linked to Bystron in Berlin and Bavaria, as well as in Mallorca and his Bundestag office on the morning of 16 May. A total of about 70 law enforcement officers were involved.

The politician is suspected of corruption and money laundering.

The Bundestag had previously agreed to the investigation and lifted Bystron's immunity, with only the AfD abstaining from voting.

The suspicions against the lawmaker relate to the case of the Voice of Europe (VoE) media agency, which acted as a tool of Russian influence and propaganda in Europe.

Czech intelligence services said in March that the website was used to disseminate anti-Ukrainian propaganda and disinformation on the instructions of Viktor Medvedchuk, a Ukrainian businessman and pro-Russian politician to whose daughter Putin is a godfather. Czechia has imposed sanctions on Medvedchuk.

The VoE may also have covertly provided financial support to candidates in the European Parliament elections convenient for Russia, including Bystron, his party's second choice in the European elections and who has appeared frequently on the VoE.

In an interview recorded in February in Prague, Bystron lamented that the German government coalition was not meeting farmers halfway but was giving Ukraine large amounts of military aid and that the government "has money to kill people in other countries, but no funds for German farmers."

Spiegel journalists say Czech services have video and audio evidence that Bystron received such funds. The politician himself has initially denied the allegations.

The media outlet noted that Bystron had known Medvedchuk personally for many years and even visited his home.

Further investigation should determine whether Bystron has violated German law. Under current law, in order to prove a violation, it will be necessary to establish not only that the lawmaker accepted the money but also that it was in exchange for a certain service related to his mandate.

Earlier, Spiegel reported that the Kremlin wanted to help the AfD with its election strategy.