AfD: Bystron should no longer appear in the European election campaign – politics

The AfD politician Petr Bystron, who has come under pressure, should not make any appearances for the party in the European election campaign until the allegations against him are clarified. AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla demand this in a letter about which “ARD Capital Studio” and “ZDF today” to report.

The Bavarian State Criminal Police Office is investigating the Bundestag member, who is in second place on the party’s European election list, on initial suspicion of bribery and money laundering. On Thursday, the Bundestag lifted Bystron’s immunity and police searched his parliamentary office and other rooms in Bavaria and Mallorca.

According to information from South German newspaper The investigation is about almost 35,000 euros, which Bystron is said to have paid into a bank account of a company belonging to him in several tranches three days apart in mid-March.

Bystron and European election leading candidate Maximilian Krah have been in the headlines for weeks because of possible connections to pro-Russian networks and possible financial payments. On Friday, the EU states decided against the “Voice of Europe” platform, where interviews with both politicians appeared. The portal is suspected of spreading pro-Russian propaganda in the EU and paying money to European politicians. It is now blocked across the EU.

Bystron repeatedly denied reports that Voice of Europe had paid him money. He described the investigation process to time online as politically motivated. “The proceedings will be stopped when the election is over,” the portal quoted him as saying on Thursday. “This will cost us some votes in the elections.” But other voters would stick with the AfD: “Those who know the history of our party, which has been damaged by counter-campaigns, will not be deterred.”