The European Parliament revoked the immunity of German MEP Petr Bystron on Tuesday, clearing the way for prosecutors to pursue corruption allegations amid a crackdown on the increasingly popular Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The move marks the second time this year Bystron, a member of the AfD party, has been stripped of parliamentary protection amid ongoing legal scrutiny.
German authorities allege Bystron accepted illicit payments from Voice of Europe, a platform sanctioned by the EU in 2023 for spreading propaganda. Munich prosecutors claim the payments—reportedly in cash or cryptocurrency—were made in exchange for Bystron promoting foreign interests during his tenure as a national MP.
The European Parliament’s decision to waive immunity relates to at least six counts of passive corruption, money laundering, fraud, and five instances of tax evasion.
Investigations began in 2023, but proceedings were paused after Bystron secured a European Parliament seat in summer 2024, reinstating his immunity. German authorities resumed raids on properties linked to him last year, though findings remain undisclosed.
Bystron denounced the immunity waiver as politically motivated, accusing German prosecutors of targeting critics of Western support for Ukraine. This is the second immunity suspension for Bystron in recent months. In April 2024, the European Parliament lifted his protection over a separate probe into a social media post featuring a photo collage of individuals performing prohibited German World War II salutes.
The case underscores mounting legal pressure on AfD figures ahead of Germany’s 2025 federal elections, with the party already under surveillance for alleged extremist ties. As Bystron faces dual investigations, the outcome could reshape the party’s political trajectory and test Germany’s resolve to confront political dissent.
