Bundestag lifts immunity of SPD lawmaker Adis Ahmetovic in Hannover probe
The Bundestag has cleared the way for court-ordered searches involving 33-year-old SPD member Adis Ahmetovic, who also chairs the party in Hannover. Prosecutors have not said whether the move is linked to their probe into a clinic site tender in Lehrte.
Immunity lifted for court searches
The Bundestag on Thursday, 15 October, lifted the parliamentary immunity of Adis Ahmetovic, a 33-year-old SPD member of parliament from Lower Saxony. The vote authorises court-ordered searches connected to him, according to a Bundestag paper that the German Press Agency (dpa) obtained. Ahmetovic also chairs the SPD in Hannover, the state capital. Investigations against him had become known shortly before the vote. The parliamentary paper does not say what he is accused of, which is standard for such documents, and no further details had emerged by the time of reporting.
What prosecutors have said
Prosecutors in Hannover did not say when asked whether the immunity decision is linked to their case. Media reports say the investigation concerns the tender of a clinic site in Lehrte, a town near Hannover, but authorities have not confirmed this. Ahmetovic's lawyer, Holger Nitz, said in a statement that his client has nothing to reproach himself with. The statement refers to investigations linked to the Lehrte clinic site, but the text does not make clear whether the probe into Ahmetovic is connected. Prosecutors have declined to describe the allegations against him, citing investigative reasons.
Three SPD politicians under investigation
Prosecutors in Hannover are now investigating three SPD politicians. On 9 September, eleven days before the Berlin election, they confirmed a probe into Steffen Krach, the SPD's lead candidate in Berlin at the time. A day later they said the initial suspicion covered accepting benefits in office in two cases, and in one further case possible anti-competitive agreements in tenders, together with breach of trade secrets and of a confidentiality duty. On 2 October they confirmed an investigation into Stefan Politze, the former leader of the SPD parliamentary group in the Lower Saxony state parliament. Politze has since resigned and says he is convinced of his innocence. Prosecutors most recently confirmed that they are also investigating Ahmetovic, but declined to give reasons.
- Prosecutors confirm an investigation into Steffen Krach, the SPD's Berlin lead candidate at the time
- Prosecutors specify initial suspicion of accepting benefits in office in two cases, plus possible anti-competitive tender agreements
- Prosecutors confirm an investigation into Stefan Politze, former SPD parliamentary group leader in Lower Saxony
- Bundestag lifts Adis Ahmetovic's immunity, clearing the way for court-ordered searches
Ahmetovic's response
Ahmetovic has had his lawyer say that he has nothing to reproach himself with. According to NDR reporting, the lawyer also said the MP is cooperating with prosecutors. The Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung reports the allegation as aiding anti-competitive agreements linked to the sale of the Lehrte clinic site. Ahmetovic is also chairman of the SPD in Hannover, the same party organisation whose former parliamentary leader is under investigation.
What remains open
The content of the charges has not been disclosed, and prosecutors have not said whether the searches concern the Lehrte case. The Bundestag paper contains no details of the accusation. Articles published so far do not report that the searches have taken place.