The Bundestag, Germany’s federal parliament, on Thursday voted to waive the parliamentary immunity of AfD Member of Parliament Maximilian Krah. The decision, taken unanimously without a formal debate, occurred during deliberations on easing bureaucratic burdens within the care sector. No abstentions were recorded.
The Bundestag’s Committee for the Examination of Mandates, Immunity and Rules of Procedure had previously issued a recommendation in favor of the measure, which permits the execution of court orders for searches and seizures against Krah.
Krah has faced months of allegations concerning bribery and money laundering, stemming from his activities as a Member of the European Parliament. The accusations relate to payments originating from China. Further complicating the situation, a former parliamentary employee of Krah’s in the European Parliament is currently under investigation for suspected espionage, accused of providing information to Chinese intelligence services.