Corruption trial verdict: Probation handed to Colorado State University male
In a landmark ruling, the Munich Higher Regional Court has convicted former CSU Bundestag member Eduard Lintner for bribing elected officials in connection with the Azerbaijani Laundromat scandal. Lintner was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended, for his role in the money-laundering and bribery scheme by Azerbaijan’s authoritarian government.
The trial centered around Lintner's role in influencing decisions in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) through covert payments. Lintner admitted to facilitating payments from Azerbaijan to a CDU Bundestag member for lobbying purposes. The court found that Lintner played a key role in the corruption case involving the purchase of votes by Azerbaijan.
The court assumed that Lintner was present at a crucial agreement between the CDU politician and the Azerbaijani side in a hotel in Strasbourg in autumn 2014. The agreement, which was to last indefinitely, "until further notice," saw Lintner arranging for monthly payments of €7,500 to the CDU politician in exchange for her voting in Azerbaijan’s favor at PACE.
Lintner, who served as Parliamentary State Secretary and was a PACE member until 2010, defended his actions, stating that he was practicing common lobbying in parliaments. However, the court rejected this defense, concluding that the payments constituted bribes. The court also ordered the confiscation of approximately €111,330 from a third party linked to the case, which was regarded as proceeds from the offense.
This verdict marks the first time a German lawmaker has been convicted of this type of offense in connection with the Azerbaijani Laundromat scandal. Margarete Bause, deputy chair of Transparency Germany, welcomed the verdict, stating it as an important signal to protect democratic institutions and against strategic corruption. Bause emphasized that the corruptibility of elected officials by authoritarian states threatens the democratic system.
The proceedings against two other co-defendants were provisionally suspended upon payment of fines. The proceedings against former CDU Bundestag member Axel Fischer were separated due to his illness and will start again later.
The Azerbaijani Laundromat scandal involved covert payments to European politicians to influence the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to improve Azerbaijan’s image amid human rights criticisms. The scandal, which involved $2.9 billion, represents a major development against transnational corruption tied to Azerbaijan’s efforts to buy political influence in Europe.
Bösl commented that Lintner's earlier cash payments from Azerbaijan for extensive lobbying were not considered criminal according to the court. However, the court's recent ruling demonstrates a shift in stance, with Lintner's actions now being considered a criminal offense.
The verdict in the Azerbaijani Laundromat scandal has highlighted the complexities of policy-and-legislation and politics, as it marks the first time a German lawmaker has been convicted for bribing elected officials, a decision under the purview of general-news. The ruling also brings to light the crime-and-justice aspects, as a former CSU Bundestag member, Eduard Lintner, was sentenced for his role in the money-laundering and bribery scheme, signifying a significant shift in stance on lobbying practices.
