Suspicion of bribery: Raid on Thuringia's CDU country chief Voigt

He is said to have given an order to an agency for money: CDU country chief Voigt is being investigated on suspicion of corruption.

Suspicion of bribery: Raid on Thuringia's CDU country chief Voigt

He is said to have given an order to an agency for money: CDU country chief Voigt is being investigated on suspicion of corruption. Officials search the politician's living and business premises. Meanwhile, Voigt denies all allegations.

The public prosecutor's office in Erfurt is investigating the Thuringian CDU state chief Mario Voigt on suspicion of corruption in business dealings. In this context, several premises, including residential and business premises, were searched and evidence secured, said senior public prosecutor Hannes Grünseisen.

According to Grünseisen, the corruption proceedings against Voigt were initiated after there were indications in another investigation. The allegations were related to Voigt's activities in the 2019 European election campaign. According to MDR information, Voigt is said to have placed an order with an Internet agency, which is said to have paid him a consulting fee for it.

Voigt explained in a written statement: "What I said from day 1 applies to me: I didn't do anything wrong. My willingness to be transparent and to cooperate still applies."

Voigt's lawyer Valentin Sitzmann added that there was no solid basis for the suspicion. "The action of the public prosecutor's office is also disproportionate and excessive. The timing and manner of the measure are irritating." In addition, there is obviously a high need for the authorities to publish the procedure. "Up until now, my client has been extremely cooperative and has always been proactive and transparent," explained the lawyer.