The Münchner Merkur has confirmed the allegations against former German Bundestag members Axel Fischer and Eduard Lintner, accused of accepting substantial bribes from Azerbaijani sources to influence decisions within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The charges were filed by the Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the trial is scheduled to begin on January 16, 2024, at the Munich Higher Regional Court.
According to the report, Fischer and Lintner are alleged to have received significant payments in exchange for political actions that supported Azerbaijan’s interests. These actions included positive assessments of Azerbaijani elections and statements denying the existence of political prisoners in the country.
Lintner reportedly funneled millions of euros through fake companies, some of which were distributed to other PACE members to secure favorable decisions. Fischer is accused of receiving €21,800 for his involvement, which included sharing confidential documents with Azerbaijani representatives and advocating for their interests.
Both Fischer and Lintner deny the charges. Fischer has called the accusations baseless, while Lintner has dismissed them as nonsense, claiming his activities were legitimate lobbying efforts to promote international recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.
The Münchner Merkur also highlights that the investigation has been extensive, involving searches at multiple locations, including Bundestag offices. The case, part of the broader “Azerbaijan affair” or “caviar diplomacy,” underscores serious concerns about corruption and foreign influence within European institutions.
