Overview
- Axel Fischer was sentenced to one year and two months in prison, suspended on probation, and was released from pretrial detention.
- The court imposed a two-year ban on his passive election rights, finding he accepted cash including a €20,000 payment in January 2016.
- Earlier cash flows totaling about €79,000 occurred before a 2014 legal tightening or are time-barred, but the agreement was deemed to have continued afterward.
- Judges cited internal Azerbaijani documents, an SMS, frequent contacts, unusual cash deposits, and pro-Azerbaijan actions such as favorable speeches, votes, and sharing confidential papers.
- Financial orders include €12,000 to a victims’ foundation and confiscation of €20,000 in proceeds, as Fischer denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal in a case linked to a broader influence network that also saw ex-CSU MP Eduard Lintner convicted.