The German Prosecutor’s Office has submitted an official request to the European Parliament to strip pro-Russian MEP Petr Bystron (from the “Alternative for Germany” party) of his parliamentary immunity due to suspicions of money laundering, bribery, unconstitutional or terrorist activities, and collaboration with pro-Kremlin entities. Bystron has repeatedly been at the center of scandals linked to Russian interests. (Source: DW)
According to the Munich Prosecutor’s Office, Petr Bystron is suspected of receiving tens of thousands of euros from the pro-Russian media outlet “Voice of Europe” to lobby Moscow’s interests in the Bundestag. The accusations also include money laundering and violations of parliamentary ethics. Earlier this year, the Council of Europe banned “Voice of Europe,” identifying it as a tool of Russian influence and propaganda.
The investigation is accompanied by extensive raids. In May this year, the German Bundestag lifted Bystron’s immunity, and in June, law enforcement agencies conducted searches of his offices and residences in Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Berlin. They seized documents and electronic devices that could confirm financial ties between Bystron and the Kremlin.
In July 2024, Petr Bystron was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, which automatically granted him immunity. This complicates the investigation since his immunity must now be revoked for the legal proceedings to continue. Currently, the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee is reviewing the matter. A session is scheduled for December 4, after which Bystron will have the opportunity to present his case.
Opposition parties and the public demand a transparent investigation. This issue is particularly sensitive against the backdrop of escalating tensions between the EU and Russia, where the support of pro-Russian politicians is seen as a threat to European security.
Experts believe that the European Parliament’s decision will set an important precedent in countering Kremlin influence within European institutions. If Bystron’s immunity is revoked, it could pave the way for stricter oversight of other politicians potentially collaborating with the Kremlin regime.
The decision on his immunity will serve as a litmus test for the EU’s readiness to defend its democratic values against the Russian threat.
