Former German MPs to stand trial on charges of accepting bribes from Baku

Two former members of the German Bundestag from the opposition Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union will stand trial on charges of accepting bribes from Baku, DW reports. The defendants in the "Azerbaijan case" are politicians Axel Fischer and Eduard Lintner.

The first is accused of accepting bribes, the second of bribing officials to influence decisions in favor of Azerbaijan in the PACE. According to investigators, Lintner, who has been working at the PACE since 2010, received several million euros in 2016 through 19 fake companies.

He transferred part of this money to other deputies, which, according to the investigation, was supposed to influence the adoption of the necessary decisions for him.

Fischer, who has also been in PACE since 2010, made speeches favorable to Azerbaijan. In return, he received a bribe of 21,800 euros. The trial will begin on January 16. Both suspects deny their guilt.