German court convicts former MP in Azerbaijani bribery and influence-peddling case |
A German court’s conviction of former Bundestag member Axel Fischer has once again thrust the so-called “Azerbaijani Laundromat” scandal into the European spotlight, underscoring how foreign money was allegedly used to buy political influence at the heart of Europe’s human rights institutions. The ruling, handed down by the Munich Higher Regional Court on January 22, marks only the second time a former German member of parliament has been found guilty in connection with bribery tied to Azerbaijan’s extensive influence-peddling network.
Fischer, a longtime politician from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), received a suspended sentence of one year and two months for accepting bribes from Azerbaijani representatives while serving as a member of Germany’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). According to the court, Fischer entered into what judges described as an “unlawful agreement” with Azerbaijani officials, under which he promoted Baku’s political interests within PACE in exchange for tens of thousands of euros in illicit payments.
In addition to the suspended prison sentence, the court imposed a series of penalties that collectively underscore the seriousness of the offense. Fischer was barred from holding public office for two years, ordered to forfeit 20,000 euros (approximately $23,480), and required to pay a further 12,000 euros (around $14,000) into a victim support fund. The ruling represents the first time a former German MP has been convicted for accepting bribes while still holding public office, a milestone that anti-corruption advocates say could have broader implications across Europe.
Fischer served in the Bundestag until 2021 and was part of........