Former German MP Eduard Lintner has admitted in court that he received payments from Azerbaijan linked to the notorious “Azerbaijani Laundromat” scheme, a $2.9 billion corruption network exposed by OCCRP in 2017. The scheme was used to buy political influence in Europe while Azerbaijan’s government jailed journalists and activists at home.
Lintner acknowledged the charges in a Munich court on May 15, confirming that he accepted the money. However, in a later interview, he claimed the payments were not bribes, saying they were for “honorable lobbying” related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
The court did not accept this explanation. Judge Jochen Boesl stated that Lintner’s admissions would be treated as a confession, which may reduce his sentence. The final verdict is expected in July.
Lintner’s former assistant and a relative have already admitted guilt and were released. Another accused, ex-MP Axel Fischer, will face trial later this year.
Critics say this case is a clear example of how Azerbaijan has used dirty money to silence criticism and manipulate European institutions. Despite Lintner’s denial of wrongdoing, the use of intermediaries and the lack of transparency point to a systematic attempt to hide illicit influence.
English (UK) 
Azərbaycan dili