Politics · Germany · 9 hrs ago
Hannover prosecutors seek to lift Berlin lawmaker Steffen Krach’s immunity
Hannover prosecutors have asked Berlin’s parliament to lift Steffen Krach’s immunity so they can continue an investigation.
Krach, a Berlin SPD leader and state lawmaker, is suspected of sharing confidential information about a competing bid in the sale of a clinic site in Lehrte, near Hannover.
The inquiry concerns a sale process from Krach’s time as president of the Hannover region, and he denies the allegations.
The case includes allegations of revealing business secrets and accepting an advantage.
The investigation was paused after Krach became a lawmaker on October 29, because parliamentary immunity rules apply to him.
Berlin’s parliament says its rules generally allow investigations into lawmakers, and its president found no reason to object within the 48-hour period.
That means prosecutors may be able to resume the inquiry without a separate immunity vote, although they had argued that a specific request was needed because the investigation began before Krach took office.
Hannover prosecutors have requested the lifting of Berlin lawmaker Steffen Krach’s immunity so they can continue an investigation into alleged leaks of confidential information.
The investigation concerns the sale of a former clinic site in Lehrte, near Hannover, and an alleged disclosure of information about a competing bid.
Krach denies the allegations and says he has offered the prosecutors his full cooperation.
Berlin’s parliament says its rules generally allow investigations of lawmakers without a separate request to lift immunity.
The parliament’s president found no reason to object, and the investigation can resume after a 48-hour period, according to the parliamentary administration.
- Who
- Hannover prosecutors seek to lift the immunity of Steffen Krach, Berlin SPD leader and lawmaker.
- What
- They want to continue an investigation into alleged disclosure of confidential information during a property sale bidding process.
- When
- The investigation began on September 3. It was paused after Krach became a lawmaker on October 29.
- Where
- The investigation concerns a clinic site in Lehrte near Hannover; the immunity request was sent to Berlin’s parliament.
- Why
- Prosecutors say lifting immunity is needed to continue the investigation. Krach denies the allegations.
Hannover prosecutors
Berlin parliament administration
Need for a separate immunity request
Hannover prosecutors
Prosecutors considered a separate request necessary because the investigation began before Krach took office.
Berlin parliament administration
The parliament administration says its rules generally authorize investigations of lawmakers and that an individual request is needed only if the case proceeds to indictment or pre-trial detention.
Resumption of the investigation
Hannover prosecutors
Prosecutors sought the lifting of immunity to continue their investigation.
Berlin parliament administration
The administration says prosecutors can continue after the 48-hour period unless the parliament president objects; she found no reason to object.
The investigation against Krach began.
The allegations became known shortly before the Berlin state parliament election.
The Berlin parliament held its constitutive session, and Krach officially became a lawmaker; the investigation was paused.
The Lower Saxony justice ministry brought the prosecutors’ immunity request to Berlin’s justice administration.
- Subject
- Steffen Krach, Berlin SPD leader and lawmaker
- Investigation location
- Lehrte, near Hannover
- Investigation start
- September 3
- Parliamentary session
- October 29
- Parliamentary response period
- 48 hours
What people are saying
I have offered the prosecutors my full cooperation from the beginning, and that still applies.
I clearly reject the baseless allegations against me and have no problem at all with my immunity being lifted.