Germany investigates claims by far-right MEP who received payments from Russia and China – POLITICO

German justice opened two preliminary investigations on Wednesday against MEP Maximilian Krah, of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, concerning alleged payments from Russia and China for his work in Parliament.

“On April 18, 2024, the Dresden public prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation against MEP Dr. Maximilian Krah for alleged Russian payments for his work as an MEP,” said Patrick Pintaske, spokesperson for the Dresden public prosecutor, to POLITICO in a written statement. .

“In addition, the Dresden public prosecutor’s office is conducting a second investigation against MEP Dr. Maximilian Krah in connection with alleged Chinese payments for his work as an MEP,” he said, adding that the investigations are only examining whether the first suspicions of corruption can be established. justified by the German Criminal Code.