German lawmakers accuse the far-right AfD of harboring a Russian “sleeper cell,” in the latest claim that the party is spying for Moscow, prompting a denial in parliament.
The AfD has faced accusations since October of using parliamentary questions to collect sensitive details on critical infrastructure, security and military matters, particularly in the eastern state of Thuringia.
Marc Henrichmann, a lawmaker for Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU, says the questions covered arms deliveries to Ukraine, power stations, drone production and army bases.
“At the very least, they have a sleeper cell loyal to Russia in their ranks,” he says. “How lucky for Vladimir Putin that the AfD exists in Germany.”
AfD politicians reject the accusations as “embarrassing” and “malicious” but do not offer justifications for the enquiries.
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