German prosecutors move to strip AfD lawmaker's immunity amid bribery probe
BERLIN (Reuters) - Public prosecutors in Germany have moved to strip a politician from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) of his immunity as a lawmaker after initiating a probe into bribery and money laundering allegations, local media reported on Friday.
Prosecutors in the eastern city of Dresden confirmed that an investigation had been initiated against a German lawmaker on charges of bribery while he was a member of the European Parliament as well as money laundering in connection with Chinese payments.
The prosecutors did not name the suspect.
According to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, the probe is focused on Maximilian Krah, one of the new cohort of AfD politicians who entered the German parliament after February's federal election.
Krah's office was not immediately available for comment on the report, which was also carried by Der Spiegel magazine.
Last month German authorities arrested a former aide of Krah on suspicion of having used his position to gather information for the Chinese intelligence service and of spying on Chinese dissidents.
The man, identified as Jian G., obtained more than 500 documents to transfer to China, including some classified by the European Parliament as particularly sensitive, the federal prosecutors' office said in a statement.
Krah has not commented publicly on the case since his former aide's arrest. Two years ago, when a member of the European Parliament, he dismissed allegations then surfacing that his aide had been lobbying for China as slander against himself.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
10 minutes ago
- Business Insider
African countries excluded as China expands visa‑free transit to 55 nations
China has expanded its 10-day visa-free transit policy to 55 countries, but notably excluded all African nations, raising questions about the scope of its global engagement. China has expanded its 10-day visa-free transit policy to 55 countries, excluding all African nations. It facilitates stays of up to 240 hours for travelers transiting to a third destination, with certain restrictions. The exclusion of African nations sparked debates about China's geopolitical strategies and diplomatic priorities. China's visa-free transit policy, which grants a 10-day stay for travelers in transit, now includes 55 countries but excludes all African nations—a move that has sparked disappointment and raised questions about Beijing's travel diplomacy and its Africa policy. The absence of African nations, despite China's strong economic and diplomatic ties across the continent, has surprised analysts and travel industry stakeholders alike. China's new transit policy allows travelers from select countries to stay visa-free for up to 240 hours if transiting to a third destination. Visitors must remain in the city or region of entry and have a confirmed onward ticket. While not a general tourist visa, the policy permits short-term activities like tourism, business, and family visits. Aimed at boosting convenience for businesspeople, tourists, and frequent travelers, it also helps save on visa fees and processing time. China-Africa relations threatened? China's recent visa-free travel policy for over 50 countries has sparked debate over the exclusion of African nations, raising questions about Beijing's stance toward the continent. This move appears contradictory given China's deepening trade ties with Africa, including zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries and import duty exemptions for products from 33 least developed nations. However, the omission may not signal waning interest. Rather, it could reflect strategic prioritization of diplomatic and economic relationships. China's investments in Africa focused on trade, infrastructure, and development, suggest a long-term commitment. Understanding Beijing's approach requires considering the broader geopolitical and economic context in which its Africa policy operates. Observers note that this exclusion could be interpreted as a missed opportunity for people-to-people exchange, especially given Beijing's consistent rhetoric about its 'win-win' cooperation with Africa. With African countries hosting massive Chinese investments and infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative, the lack of reciprocal travel ease underscores a gap in the relationship that some believe needs urgent attention. Full list of eligible countries The countries included under China's 10-day visa-free transit policy are: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. These travelers are eligible for entry at any of the approved 60 transit points, which include international airports in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenzhen, as well as a select number of seaports. Authorities have clarified that travelers must be in direct transit, meaning they must travel from Country A, transit through China, and continue to Country B. A return trip to the country of origin would not qualify under this policy.
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lebanon will keep its airspace open, minister says
BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon will aim to keep its airspace open, a minister said on Saturday, hours after officials said the airspace would be shut down in the evening amid Iran-Israel conflict. "The airport will remain open unless something emerges beyond our control," Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny said while touring in Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. The Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanese national carrier, will increase its flights to compensate the delayed flights, Rasamny said. Earlier, state news agency NNA cited the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority as saying the country would temporarily reopen its airspace on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. (0700 GMT), and it would be shut down again from 10:30 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Seoul's LGBT community gathers for annual festival after liberal president elected
SEOUL (Reuters) -The annual Seoul Queer Culture Festival was held in the South Korean capital on Saturday after the country ushered in a new liberal president, though it faced concurrent protests against the LGBT community's pride celebrations. While the community has made some advances towards broader acceptance in Korean society, conservative religious groups still mount resistance to efforts to pass laws against discrimination, and there is no legal acknowledgement of LGBTQ+ partnerships. City authorities repeatedly denied venue clearance requests for last year's festival before eventually giving their approval. "The slogan for the 26th Seoul Queer Culture Festival is that we never stop," said its chief organiser Hwang Chae-yoo. "During the last ... administration, hate against homosexuality and LGBTQ+ became very strong, leading to government policies that often ignored LGBTQ+ people. That's why we expressed our will to never give up until the end, and make efforts to improve human rights," Hwang said. South Korea elected liberal President Lee Jae-myung earlier this month in a snap election, after conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted following his impeachment. While Lee has not explicitly stated his positions on LGBT issues during the campaign, his election has led to optimism among some in the community that conditions could improve. Under blue skies and temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius (87.8 Fahrenheit), festival turnout was brisk with people, some carrying rainbow flags, milling about booths including those set up by LGBTQ+ organisations, embassies and university clubs. From 4:30 p.m. local time (0730 GMT), participants marched through the streets of Seoul, calling for improved human rights and self-esteem for LGBTQ+ people. The event's organisers said 30,000 people were taking part, though police put their estimate at around 7,000. A protest against the Queer Culture Festival was also held in a nearby location in central Seoul on Saturday. Participants held blue and pink signs with phrases such as "Homosexuality Stop" and "Destroys Families". There was no clash. "It's changed a lot compared to the old days, but most people are still like, 'we know you exist, but don't come out'," said 44-year-old festival participant Hong Il-pyo, who was dressed in drag. "I hope we can make a little progress and change to 'you exist, so let's live well together.'"
