Investigations into Russian influence allegations: AfD politician Krah and his ‘cash reserve’

In December 2023, AfD MEP Maximilian Krah was stopped by the FBI on entering the USA carrying about 3,000 euros in cash, which he said was for hotel and food expenses. The FBI questioned him for an hour due to suspicions he received payments from pro-Russian activist Oleg Woloschyn. Chat evidence suggested references to “compensations” for Krah’s expenses, though Krah denied reading or responding to the message and claimed he never accepted money from Woloschyn. The incident is part of a wider investigation by Polish and Czech intelligence into the Russian influence network behind the website “Voice of Europe.” Polish investigators have conducted searches and interrogations connected to this network, which aims to promote Kremlin foreign policy interests including weakening Poland’s international stance and discrediting Ukraine and EU institutions. Two AfD politicians, Krah and Bundestag member Petr Bystron, are prime suspects. While German authorities have begun preliminary investigations into Bystron for bribery, no formal investigation or immunity waiver has been pursued yet, and no investigations exist against Krah in Germany. German intelligence reportedly has only sparse intelligence from the Czech Republic regarding alleged audio recordings of Bystron discussing with a Russian agent, with the file’s existence in question. The case is noted to illustrate active Russian hybrid influence efforts targeting Europe through political actors and media proxies.