An investigation is underway against AfD parliamentary group leader Bernd Gögel. Gögel himself speaks of speculation and has himself filed a complaint for betrayal of secrets.
The public prosecutor’s office is investigating against the AfD parliamentary group leader Bernd Gögel because of allegations of undeclared work. A spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office in Karlsruhe confirmed on Friday the German Press Agency (dpa) that there is an investigation into suspected withholding and embezzlement of wages. Therefore, the standing committee of the state parliament also dealt with Gögel’s immunity on Thursday, as the dpa learned from circles.
Gögel points to the presumption of innocence
Gögel himself spoke of speculation when asked. He doesn’t know anything yet. “I have no documents,” it said. As soon as he has access to the files, he will act with his lawyer. He did not want to comment on the specific allegations at this time. According to Gögel, the presumption of innocence applies until the trial is completed. The 67-year-old is a forwarding agent and has been a member of the state parliament since 2016. In 2017 he was elected chairman of the AfD parliamentary group.
The “Pforzheimer Zeitung” first reported on the subject. Gögel announced that on Friday he had filed a complaint against an unknown person for leaking secrets because the report was “based on insider knowledge from members of the Standing Committee”. According to this report, a formal procedure was initiated on Thursday to have his immunity lifted.