Probe into Bystrons suspended

Shift to the European Parliament - Probe into Bystrons suspended

Investigators scrutinizing financial scandal and acceptance of bribes accusations concerning AfD member Petr Bystron, a person who holds dual responsibilities as a Bundestag representative and an EU parliamentarian, will need to take a compulsory hiatus, as claimed by the German Press Agency. As a benefit of his new role as an EU lawmaker, Bystron, who campaigned for a position on his party's second list, enjoys immunity from prosecution.

Once the federal election commissioner reveals the official outcomes of the European election in Germany, the investigative services' activities relating to the case must cease. However, if Bystron's immunity status in the European Parliament is revoked, the pursuance of the case may resume. It could take some time before the decision is made. "Spiegel" and ZDF previously announced plans to suspend the investigation.

An unidentified representative from the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office refrained from commenting on this specific case on Wednesday. Nonetheless, General Prosecutor Reinhard Röttle mentioned, in general, "There's no room for political corruption in Bavaria, and the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office will relentlessly prosecute any suspicion of bribery of a parliamentarian in accordance with the immunity."

Bystron is believed to have accepted payments in relation to the pro-Russian website "Voice of Europe" in order to advance Russian interests in the Parliament. In May, the Bundestag revoked Bystron's immunity in the Munich-North parliamentary constituency. During the inquiry, police searched his office in Berlin and other locations. Bystron rejected the allegations at the time, deeming the proceedings as politically motivated. He anticipates the proceedings to cease, "if the election concludes." During the legal proceedings, he is assumed innocent.

Bystron's fellow party members, led by the AfD, had called on Bystron to forgo participating in the European election campaign due to these allegations. Bystron initially announced his withdrawal from the campaign, citing family matters. A few days before the election, he made an appearance at an AfD gathering in Nuremberg.

As a member of the upcoming AfD delegation in the European Parliament, Bystron will stay with the party. Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the AfD, asserted on Monday that Bystron had provided a sworn account of his non-reception of money at a meeting of the new EU parliamentarians and that "all statements are false." Some, among them parliamentarians, had called for such a statement, and it was imperative.

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1. Despite the ongoing investigation into money laundering allegations against him in Germany, Petr Bystron will continue as an AfD member in the European Parliament.
2. The suspension of the investigation into Bystron's acceptance of bribes and involvement in money laundering will last until the EU Parliament determines his immunity status.
3. Bystron, who represents both Germany's Bundestag and the EU Parliament, gained immunity from prosecution due to his new role in the EU.
4. The German Press Agency reported that investigators seeking evidence of financial misconduct and bribery by Bystron will need to pause their inquiry.
5. The Munich Public Prosecutor's Office recently expressed its dedication to rooting out political corruption in Bavaria, with a focus on probing claims of bribery of parliamentarians.
6. ZDF and "Spiegel" initially announced they would pause the investigation into Bystron's allegations, but the final ruling on the matter will depend on the EU Parliament's decision to revoke his immunity.
7. German authorities searched Bystron's office in Berlin and other locations after the Bundestag revoked his immunity in Munich-North, citing bribery claims.
8. Despite criticism and calls for his withdrawal from the European election campaign, Bystron appeared at an AfD gathering in Nuremberg just before the elections, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated.
9. As the EU Parliament and German Bundestag convene for elections, the spotlight remains on Bystron, with some critics arguing that his involvement in such controversy could negatively impact his party and Germany's political landscape in Europe.

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