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Bystron is supposed to provide AfD with information about allegations from the Czech Republic
Is in second place on the AfD’s list of candidates for the European elections: Petr Bystron. photo
© Carsten Koall/dpa
Did the AfD MP Bystron accept money in contact with a pro-Russian network, as a Czech newspaper suggests? He says he has nothing to blame himself for.
The AfD member of the Bundestag Petr Bystron is to provide his party with information about allegations made against him in a Czech newspaper in connection with Russian disinformation campaigns.
Federal Managing Director Hans-Holger Malcomeß informed him in a letter that the two co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla were asking him to submit a written statement on all allegations against him by Thursday. The party leadership refers, among other things, to a report about an audio recording that is supposed to incriminate Bystron.
Suspicion of cooperation with pro-Russian network
The Czech newspaper “Denik N” reported, citing intelligence sources, that Bystron was suspected of having been in contact with the pro-Russian network “Voice of Europe”. He may also have accepted money.
The cabinet in Prague decided on Wednesday last week to put operators and backers of the internet platform, such as Putin confidant Viktor Medvedchuk, on the national sanctions list. Bystron’s name was also said to have been mentioned at the meeting, as the newspaper reported, citing several ministers. “We were given information that Bystron was a suspect. And the evidence should be audio recordings,” a minister said.
Another government member, who did not want to be named, said: “(The head of the domestic intelligence service BIS Michal) Koudalka confirmed that they had documented Bystron. He said it in these words. It’s about the tone. You can hear the handover of Proof of money as audio. But we didn’t look into it any further. They didn’t play it for us. He (Koudelka) just informed us about it.”
“Unproven allegations and allegations”
The “Voice of Europe” portal had, among other things, published interviews with the AfD politicians Maximilian Krah and Petr Bystron, who are in the first two places on the AfD’s list of candidates for the European elections.
Bystron told the German Press Agency on Wednesday that it was normal and right that party colleagues wanted to find out first-hand information in view of the media reports. So far, however, these have only been “unproven accusations and claims.” He added: “The Czech secret service should finally publish the alleged recordings so that there is clarity.” Bystron emphasized: “I have nothing to blame myself for.”
Next Monday there will also be a personal conversation with the party leaders and their deputies. “We will meet in person after Easter in peace and quiet and discuss everything,” Bystron told dpa.
The allegations are likely to be discussed in the Bundestag next week. At least the left-wing MP Martina Renner has requested that a report from the federal government on possible influence on politicians and parties through covert financial payments using the example of the media agency “Voice of Europe” and the consequences for the federal counterintelligence be placed on the agenda in the Interior Committee next Wednesday set. Domestic politicians in the coalition also signaled their willingness to discuss the issue in the committee.