Bundestag investigates ultra-right MP’s ties to Russia
The Council of Elders of Germany’s parliament, the Bundestag, is investigating Markus Frohnmaier, a member of the ultra-right party “Alternative for Germany” (AfD), for possible ties to the Kremlin, the Spiegel Online reported.
Frohnmaier is notorious for his pro-Kremlin stance, and several media outlets have reported that he could be “completely controlled” by Russia.
“Whether the charges are correct must be determined by the Council of Elders,” explained Bundestag Vice President Thomas Oppermann of the Social Democratic Party.
Opperman believes that through Frohnmaier, a third party could have access not only to the AfD party, but to Germany’s parliament as a whole.
The Council of Elders includes the president, vice-presidents, and members of the various parties in proportion to their size.
In April last year, Markus Frohnmaier visited Russia-annexed Crimea to speak at the Yalta International Economic Forum. He also served as an “international observer” in the Russian presidential elections held illegally on the Ukrainian peninsula in March that year. Personal information about Frohnmaier has been disclosed on the Myrotvorets website.
A preliminary investigation has been begun into Frohnmaier’s consultant, Manuel Ochsenreiter, the editor-in-chief of the pro-Russian magazine “Zuerst!” who is believed to have sponsored the arson attack on the Zakarpattia Hungarian Cultural Center in Uzhhorod, Ukraine, in February 2018.
According to investigations by BBC News, Der Spiegel, ZDF and La Repubblica, Marcus Frohnmaier could be “completely controlled” by Russia, acting in Moscow’s interests.
The investigation is based on documents from 2017 which show that Putin’s close associates believed that Frohnmaier was loyal to their strategic interests. Frohnmaier himself denies having received any financial or media support from Russia.