Suspicion of money laundering - Investigators search properties in the Czech Republic in the Bystron case
In the course of money laundering and bribery investigations against AfD politician Petr Bystron, investigators searched several objects again on Thursday - this time in the Czech Republic, according to information from the German Press Agency. The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed in response to an inquiry, without mentioning a name, that further searches were taking place in the context of a proceeding regarding money laundering and bribery, "to secure additional evidence." The suspect, therefore Bystron, and witnesses were reportedly searched.
The Bundestag granted approval for the execution earlier on Thursday. For searches, a separate authorization is required each time. The ZDF reported on the action first.
Bystron told the German Press Agency on Thursday that the objects in the Czech Republic were two apartments in Prague. They belonged to him, but had been "long-term rented out" for several years.
Search of the parliamentary office already in May
This is now the third major search operation in the case. In May, Bavarian investigators had searched Bystron's parliamentary office in the Bundestag, among other things. The parliamentarian from the Munich-North constituency is suspected of having received money from the pro-Russian portal "Voice of Europe" in connection with this, in order to act in the interests of Russia in the Bundestag. The Bundestag lifted Bystron's immunity for the searches in May.
Bystron himself rejected the allegations and described the proceedings as politically motivated. Regarding the renewed searches on Thursday, the AfD politician said: "Nothing incriminating was found in the meantime in the twelve house searches in Germany. This will also remain the case after the further searches." Until the legally binding end of the proceedings, the presumption of innocence applies.
Investigators must soon take a coercive break
The search operation came just before the investigators in the Bystron case were due to take a coercive break due to Bystron's switch to the European Parliament. With his new mandate as an EU parliamentarian, Bystron, who ran on list place two for the AfD in the election, enjoys immunity again. Further investigation may only be carried out after the announcement of a possible lifting of his immunity by the European Parliament.
- The German Press Agency reported that searches were conducted in the Czech Republic on Thursday, related to money laundering and bribery investigations against AfD politician Petr Bystron.
- The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed the searches, stating they were part of a proceeding regarding money laundering and bribery, aiming to secure additional evidence.
- The Bundestag granted approval for the searches earlier in the day, as a separate authorization is required for each search operation.
- ZDF was the first to report on the action, with Bystron revealing that the objects searched were two apartments in Prague, which he owned but had rented out for several years.
- This is the third major search operation in the case, following an initial search of Bystron's parliamentary office in the Bundestag in May, over allegations of receiving money from the pro-Russian portal "Voice of Europe."
- Bystron, who denied the allegations and described the proceedings as politically motivated, expressed confidence that no incriminating evidence would be found in the renewed searches, citing the twelve previous searches in Germany that yielded no results.
- Investigators in the Bystron case were set to take a coercive break due to Bystron's switch to the European Parliament, as his new role as an EU parliamentarian grants him immunity from further investigation, unless the European Parliament lifts his immunity.
