The European Parliament on Tuesday voted to lift the immunity of Petr Bystron, a leading lawmaker from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), over investigations into money laundering and bribery, reported dpa.
Bystron is suspected of having received money from the pro-Russian outlet Voice of Europe in order to act in favour of Russia in the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament.
Additionally, Bystron is accused of several counts of tax evasion and fraud, according to a report by the European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs.
The politician has repeatedly denied the allegations and called the proceedings politically motivated.
Voice of Europe is suspected of having paid money to European politicians and of spreading pro-Russian propaganda. In mid-May, the platform was banned from broadcasting in the European Union.
The Bundestag initially lifted Bystron's immunity in May last year, with several searches subsequently being carried out before he was elected to the European Parliament in June.
Bystron said 21 searches have failed to provide any evidence against him.
"I am looking forward to seeing what has been found by questioning my mother with dementia and searching her room in her retirement home," Bystron previously told dpa.
Last month, the European Parliament already voted to lift Bystron's immunity in a separate case in connection with a post on social media depicting German politicians performing controversial gestures.
The Munich public prosecutor's office is investigating Bystron over the post, alleging that the images give the impression that the politicians are performing Nazi salutes.
(By Doris Pundy and Marek Majewsky)
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
