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German prosecutors on Friday opened an investigation into far-right lawmaker Maximilian Krah in connection with bribery by China and money laundering.<\/p>\n
Krah is a member of the German lower house of parliament, or Bundestag, where his party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), is the second-biggest force.<\/p>\n
The allegations relate to his previous mandate as a member of the European Parliament.<\/p>\n
A preliminary investigation in connection with alleged Russian payments linked to Krah is still pending, the Dresden prosecutors’ office said.<\/p>\n
The aim of the China-related investigation is to determine whether there is “sufficient cause to bring charges or whether the proceedings should be discontinued,” the prosecutors said.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors have asked for his immunity from prosecution to be lifted.<\/p>\n
Krah wrote on X that the accusations were “absurd and politically motivated.”<\/p>\n
In essence, he argued, the issue was about the fact that he had invoiced clients as a lawyer.<\/p>\n
“Of course I have not committed any criminal offence. This is purely about defamation of character,” he wrote.<\/p>\n