Berlin police seize drugs and Nazi items at home of AfD candidate's staffer

Police search in Lichterfelde

Berlin police searched the residence of a staff member working for Kristin Brinker, the lead candidate for Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Berlin state election. Officers executed a judicial search warrant on 15 September 2026 in Berlin-Lichterfelde following suspicions of violations of the Weapons Act and the Explosives Act. The Berlin public prosecutor confirmed that investigators found no weapons or explosives during the operation. Instead, officers seized incidental items consisting of narcotics and Nazi memorabilia from the residence of the 48-year-old employee, identified as Jürgen Sch. The suspect works in Brinker's constituency office in the Reinickendorf district and lives alone at the property, where police also noted extensive AfD campaign materials.

Party response and collector defense

The suspect claimed he obtained the narcotics unintentionally inside the sleeve of a vinyl record purchased at a flea market. Colleagues stated that the staffer frequently visited flea markets to purchase various items. Berlin police spokesperson Alan Bauer stated that the seized items must undergo forensic evaluation before authorities determine their criminal relevance. AfD spokesperson Ronald Gläser described the investigation as a private matter for the employee and said the party would await the outcome of the inquiry. Brinker, who is heading the Berlin AfD election list for the third time, defended her staff member following the publication of the search details.

“I never had any indication that he was inclined that way, he is simply a collector.”

Parallel inquiries touching the SPD

The search in Lichterfelde occurred during an election campaign already affected by separate law enforcement actions. Hannover prosecutors are conducting an inquiry into Berlin Social Democratic Party (SPD) lead candidate Steffen Krach over allegations of accepting benefits in two cases, anticompetitive bidding arrangements, and potential violations of trade secret laws. That inquiry relates to the redevelopment of a clinic site in Lehrte near Hannover, where Krach previously served as regional president. Investigators searched Krach's apartment in Berlin-Schöneberg approximately one week before the election. Krach addressed the allegations during his party's closing rally in Charlottenburg, asserting his innocence and stating that authorities could examine his financial accounts.

“I never accepted money privately, and I also never accepted a donation as SPD leader here in Berlin.”

Polling standings before Sunday vote

The investigations surfaced two days before voters in Berlin head to the polls on 20 September 2026 to elect the Abgeordnetenhaus. Public polling conducted by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen and other survey data in the final week showed Die Linke, led by Elif Eralp, in the lead with between 21% and 22% of voter support. The governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU) held second place at 20%, while the AfD placed third at 18%. The Greens followed at 15%, with the SPD trailing in fifth place at 12%. Both Krach and Brinker urged voters to turn out in the final 48 hours before polling stations close across the capital.

Die Linke21%

CDU20%

AfD18%

Greens15%

SPD12%

Die Linke

21 %

CDU

20 %

AfD

18 %

Greens

15 %

SPD

12 %

Data from the article text