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German politician ‘filmed taking Russian money’ (www.telegraph.co.uk)

submitted 3 months ago by rimu@piefed.social to c/world@lemmy.world

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A German politician has been filmed taking large sums of cash from a Kremlin-supporting broadcaster, Czech intelligence has claimed.

Petr Bystron, who is standing for Alternative for Germany (AfD) at European parliamentary elections in June, allegedly received €20,000 (£17,000) in cash from the manager of a Russian propaganda network while sitting in a parked car, recordings indicate.

Mr Bystron, who also sits on the Bundestag’s foreign affairs committee, has previously denied allegations of taking Russian money as a “defamation campaign”.

The Security Information Service (BIS), the Czech Republic’s domestic intelligence agency, now says Mr Bystron met with Artem Marchevsky, who allegedly managed a Kremlin-backed propaganda front called Voice of Europe, at least three times in the past six months.

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[-] BigMikeInAustin@lemmy.world 66 points 3 months ago

So, in Germany, does anything happen to this Russia war enabler? Or is it like America where someone just screams "both sides" and "but his tan suit" and all courts and laws get disabled?

[-] GregorGizeh@lemmy.zip 48 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

My guess is if this blows up enough and the far right can't simply deny that it happened any more they will distance themselves a bit, perhaps throw him out.

Its just lip service though, the party is in large parts propped up by russia, and the members are all either corrupt shitstains doing the same as the guy who got caught or brainwashed idiots who themselves are the best argument against democracy and equal voices for everyone.

The same playbook as your Republicans

[-] SomeGuy69@lemmy.world 21 points 3 months ago

We call them "exceptions" here, they'll kick him out and say everyone else of the AfD is not like that. People will believe it and keep voting for them even harder because now. It's a shit show.

[-] Jesus_666@lemmy.world 19 points 3 months ago

Well, his party is trying to make people forget he's in there for fear of losing votes. Given that this party is the "presentable" face of the hard right I hope he gets as much media attention as possible.

Not sure anything is going to happen to him personally but he's a politician and this is corruption so probably not.

[-] hoshikarakitaridia@lemmy.world 16 points 3 months ago

My logic says yes but mostly it's gonna be PR issues. But reality says there won't be any other consequences because politicians don't like to oust other politicians and courts don't wanna get involved with separation of power issues.

So no but yes but no.

[-] BigMikeInAustin@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago

Darn.

Thanks for the info. (Not sarcasm)

this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2024

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