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German Court Upholds Bundestag’s Denial of AfD Aide’s House Pass Over Russia Links

The court cited reliability concerns over ties to a Russian national linked to intelligence.

Overview

  • The Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg on Feb. 13 affirmed an October ruling by the Berlin administrative court.
  • The decision bars the employee from areas of the Bundestag that are not open to the public.
  • Judges accepted the Bundestag administration’s view that contacts with Russian state bodies or cooperators posed a risk to parliamentary functioning.
  • Findings noted close connections to a Russian national who worked with Russian intelligence and whose associates sought access to the Bundestag to endanger Germany’s democratic order.
  • The AfD says seven staffers have been refused passes since last year’s election, and parliamentary manager Bernd Baumann plans legal challenges, although this ruling is not appealable.