In Germany, it is alleged that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is using parliamentary inquiries to collect confidential information about critical infrastructure in the interests of Russia.
Interior Minister of the state of Thuringia Georg Mayer in an interview with the newspaper Handelsblatt said that AfD deputies in recent months submitted numerous parliamentary requests seeking detailed information on the police, army and sensitive security infrastructure, and accused the party of collecting intelligence information for Russia.
Minister Mayer noted that the AfD has a particular interest in police information systems and equipment, in particular drone detection and defense systems, and is also seeking information on medical facilities and the activities of the German army.
“It is impossible not to get the impression that the AfD, by asking questions, is fulfilling a checklist prepared by the Kremlin,” Mayer said.
Member of the Intelligence Commission of the German Federal Parliament Mark Heinrichmann also said he agreed with the assessment of the Thuringian Interior Minister.
Heinrichmann noted that Russia is using its obvious influence in parliament, especially in the AfD, for espionage and obtaining confidential information.
The politician claims that Russia’s only interest in the AfD is to use it for hybrid warfare.
AfD MP Bernd Baumann has rejected accusations of espionage, calling them absurd suspicions.