Ex-employee of AfD MP rightly expatriated
A employee of AfD Bundestag deputy Eugen Schmidt is reportedly in close contact with an Oberst of the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB. During his naturalization process in Germany, the alleged spy lied.
According to "Spiegel," which cites a decision by the Berlin Administrative Court from mid-June, Wladimir Sergijenko deceived the authorities by falsely claiming he only held Ukrainian citizenship in his naturalization application. In November 2022, he was naturalized despite significant objections from security agencies. However, the Berlin Senate later revoked the naturalization in June 2023 after officials from the German Federal Police and Customs discovered his Russian passport during a control at Hamburg Airport.
In his naturalization application in 2019, Sergijenko stated that he only possessed Ukrainian citizenship. However, he was naturalized despite significant objections from security agencies. The naturalization was later revoked in June 2023 after German Federal Police and Customs discovered his Russian passport during a control at Hamburg Airport.
Sergijenko, according to "Spiegel" and investigative portal "The Insider," is reportedly in close contact with an Oberst of the Russian domestic intelligence service FSB.
AfD Bundestag deputy Eugen Schmidt confirmed to "Spiegel" that Sergijenko worked for him. He was "acting as a translator and in media work" on a 120-euro-per-month contract for his parliamentary office, reflecting the limited nature of his tasks."
Sergijenko himself denied the suspicion, "I could be spreading propaganda on behalf of state institutions." He declared to the magazine, "In my work, I always act independently and am only bound by my conscience." It is "remarkable that maintaining positive relations with Russia is considered unusual."
Western intelligence services suspect, according to the report, that Sergijenko could be acting on behalf of Moscow to influence the AfD. He may also be providing financial support to the party or its environment. The German Customs discovered 9,000 euros in cash during two trips to Russia by Sergijenko in April and June. In response to a "Spiegel" inquiry, he denied financially supporting the AfD.
Sergijenko's close contacts with the Russian FSB raise concerns about potential espionage activities within German politics, given his position as an employee of AfD Bundestag deputy Eugen Schmidt. Despite his denials, Western intelligence services suspect Sergijenko of acting on behalf of Moscow to influence the AfD and possibly providing them with financial support.
