Germany’s political landscape was rocked on Thursday, September 11, 2025, as the Bundestag took the rare and dramatic step of lifting the parliamentary immunity of Maximilian Krah, a prominent figure in the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The move, which paved the way for immediate police searches of Krah’s offices and residences, comes amid swirling allegations of corruption, money laundering, and ties to Chinese espionage. The development has stoked fierce debate, not only about the charges themselves but about the boundaries between justice and political maneuvering in a country still grappling with the rise of the far right.
According to the Associated Press, the decision to revoke Krah’s immunity was a necessary legal prerequisite for authorities to proceed with their investigation. Within hours, police were seen conducting coordinated raids at several locations: Krah’s parliamentary office in Berlin, his home and other offices in the eastern city of Dresden, and premises in Brussels, where Krah previously served as a lawmaker in the European Parliament. The operations were carried out under the authority of the Dresden Higher Regional Court, as reported by the German news agency dpa.
The allegations at the heart of the investigation are serious. Prosecutors in Dresden have been looking into claims that Krah, 47, was involved in bribery and money laundering, allegedly accepting payments from Chinese sources during his tenure at the European Parliament. The preliminary investigation, which began in May 2025, is focused on whether these payments were linked to improper influence or even espionage, a charge that carries grave implications for both German national security and the broader European Union.
Krah, for his part, has categorically denied any wrongdoing. Taking to the social media platform X on Thursday, he declared, “the allegations are absurd, fabricated, and purely politically motivated. The search of my office is an attempt at intimidation, which I will defend myself against.” His statement underscores the deep polarization these accusations have generated, with Krah and his supporters framing the investigation as a targeted attack by political opponents.
The controversy surrounding Krah is not new. In 2024, the AfD itself barred him from running in the European Union elections after he made highly controversial remarks to an Italian newspaper, suggesting that not all members of the Nazis’ elite SS unit—responsible for some of the most heinous crimes of World War II—were war criminals. The backlash was swift and severe, with mainstream German parties reaffirming their refusal to cooperate with AfD, maintaining what’s often called the “firewall” against far-right influence. Nevertheless, Krah managed a political comeback, winning a seat in the Bundestag in the 2025 national election, as AfD made significant gains across the country.
The investigation into Krah’s activities gained additional urgency after the arrest of his former assistant, Jian Guo. According to Germany’s federal prosecutor’s office, Guo was charged with spying for China, accused of passing sensitive information about negotiations and decisions in the European Parliament to Chinese intelligence services over a period stretching from September 2019 to April 2024. The case against Guo has fueled suspicions that Krah’s own dealings may have crossed legal—or at least ethical—lines.
While the outcome of Thursday’s raids remains unclear, the political stakes are high. The AfD’s top leadership responded quickly and soberly. In a joint statement, party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla said, “the lifting of immunity and, in particular, the search of Mr. Krah’s office and private premises are serious matters. We expect the investigation to be concluded swiftly and the results to be published.” Their remarks reflect both the gravity of the situation and the party’s desire to see the matter resolved without lingering suspicion.
The search for answers is now in the hands of Dresden’s public prosecutor. As dpa reported, investigators are determining whether “there are sufficient grounds to bring charges or whether the proceedings should be discontinued.” The legal process could take weeks or even months, and the political ramifications may last much longer.
This episode is unfolding against the backdrop of AfD’s growing influence in German politics. The party’s second-place finish in recent elections has forced mainstream politicians to reckon with its presence, even as they maintain a strict policy of non-cooperation. AfD’s critics argue that the party’s rhetoric and actions have emboldened extremist elements and undermined democratic norms. Supporters, meanwhile, see investigations like the one into Krah as evidence of a political establishment unwilling to accept dissenting voices.
The specter of foreign influence, particularly from China, adds another layer of complexity. Germany, like much of Europe, has become increasingly wary of Chinese efforts to gather intelligence and exert influence over political and economic institutions. The charges against Guo, and the allegations against Krah, have reignited debates over how best to protect sensitive information and maintain the integrity of democratic processes. If proven, the accusations would mark a significant breach of trust at the highest levels of government.
For Krah, the stakes are personal as well as political. The lifting of parliamentary immunity is a rare occurrence in Germany, typically reserved for cases where prosecutors believe there is a strong basis for further investigation. Krah’s insistence that the allegations are “absurd” and “politically motivated” is a familiar refrain in cases involving high-profile politicians, but the evidence gathered during Thursday’s searches will ultimately determine whether the case moves forward or is dropped.
The coming weeks will be critical. Prosecutors must sift through the material collected from Krah’s offices and residences, weigh the evidence, and decide whether to file formal charges. The AfD, already under intense scrutiny, will be watching closely, as will political observers across Germany and Europe. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences—not just for Krah, but for the future of the AfD and the ongoing debate over the limits of political accountability in a rapidly changing world.
As Germany waits for answers, the story of Maximilian Krah serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing democracies everywhere: how to balance the need for robust investigation with the imperative to avoid politicizing justice, and how to confront the dangers of foreign interference without undermining the values that define an open society.
