Scandal shakes AfD: Kra is under investigation for bribery and money laundering charges
The Bundestag lifted the parliamentary immunity of AfD politician Maximilian Kra, paving the way for extensive raids in Germany and Belgium. This step was approved in a plenary session, allowing prosecutors to pursue investigations into allegations of bribery and money laundering against this controversial politician.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office in Dresden, the office of Krah in the Bundestag in Berlin was searched, in addition to his home and business offices in Dresden. The raids also extended to Brussels with the assistance of Eurojust and Belgian authorities. These actions were ordered by the Higher Regional Court in Dresden.
The investigation into Kra began in May, focusing on alleged Chinese payments linked to his previous work as a member of the European Parliament. The prosecution is now examining whether there is enough evidence to bring formal charges. Kra has publicly denied these allegations, but he has not issued any new statement regarding the recent developments. For their part, AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla described the raids as "serious" and called for a swift conclusion to the investigation and the publication of its results.
In the midst of this case, a former employee who worked for many years is facing trial in Dresden on charges of espionage for Chinese intelligence. The prosecution accuses this employee of gathering sensitive information and leaking confidential documents from the European Parliament to Beijing between 2019 and 2024.
Kra testified last week as a witness in that trial, confirming that he was not aware of any connections between his former employee and Chinese intelligence or the Chinese Communist Party. When asked about receiving any potential payments from the accused, Kra invoked his right to remain silent. These escalating investigations continue to cast heavy shadows over Kra and the AfD party.