Entering Germany - Investigations against employees of the Federal Foreign Office
The Berlin and Cottbus prosecutor's offices continue to investigate employees of the Foreign Office. This was confirmed by spokeswomen from both authorities. In order to protect the investigations, "no further comments" could be made at this time, said the spokeswoman of the Berlin authority. Her colleague in Brandenburg made similar remarks.
According to a "Focus" report, employees of the Foreign Office led by Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) are suspected of having ordered employees in German embassies and consulates to grant entry to applicants with incomplete or apparently falsified documents. Several thousand people are said to have entered the Federal Republic in this way over the past five years, writes "Focus".
Auswärtiges Amt: reacting to individual cases
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office stated that in the three known investigations of the Berlin and Cottbus prosecutor's offices, it concerns individual cases in which there are questions about the documents used for entry. The Foreign Office has reacted to the known individual cases with organizational measures.
Complaint against employees of the Foreign Office
About a year ago, the magazine "Cicero" reported on the proceedings regarding the suspicion of bribery. According to the Berlin prosecutor's office, the circumstances are "identical". "Cicero" reported at the time that a former employee of the Federal Interior Ministry had filed a complaint against responsible officials of the Foreign Office. The prosecutor's office is investigating the suspicion of bribery in connection with this, as an Afghan was to be brought to Germany.
In June 2023, the Berlin prosecutor's office announced that a preliminary finding had been made. The initiated investigation proceedings were still directed against Unknown at the time. That is no longer the case.
Focus report Cicero report
- The focus of the ongoing investigations by the Berlin and Cottbus prosecutor's offices revolves around employees of the Federal Foreign Office, under the leadership of Minister Annalena Baerbock, who are suspected of Pressureing embassy and consulate staff to permit entry to individuals with incomplete or possibly fabricated documents.
- In response to these reports, a public prosecutor's office spokeswoman declared that the investigations are concentrated on particular cases, involving queries about the documentation used for entry.
- The Foreign Office has reacted to these known cases with internal measures, aiming to ensure the integrity of their processes.
- To shed more light on this matter, "Cicero" magazine published an article a year ago, detailing investigations into bribery allegations against the Foreign Office officials.
- The Berlin prosecutor's office confirmed that the circumstances surrounding this case are similar to the current one, indicating a continuum of concerns within the Foreign Office.
- The investigation into the bribery charges is ongoing and is being handled by the Berlin prosecutor's office, in connection with an Afghan refugee's entry into Germany.
- These investigations and reports highlight the need for the German public, legislators, and the Federal Foreign Office itself to address and deal with any allegations of wrongdoing, ensuring transparency and upholding Germany's immigration policies.
