A German court’s conviction of former Bundestag member Axel Fischer has once again thrust the so-called “Azerbaijani Laundromat” scandal into the European spotlight, underscoring how foreign money was allegedly used to buy political influence at the heart of Europe’s human rights institutions. The ruling, handed down by the Munich Higher Regional Court on January 22, marks only the second time a former German member of parliament has been found guilty in connection with bribery tied to Azerbaijan’s extensive influence-peddling network.

Fischer, a longtime politician from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), received a suspended sentence of one year and two months for accepting bribes from Azerbaijani representatives while serving as a member of Germany’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). According to the court, Fischer entered into what judges described as an “unlawful agreement” with Azerbaijani officials, under which he promoted Baku’s political interests within PACE in exchange for tens of thousands of euros in illicit payments.

In addition to the suspended prison sentence, the court imposed a series of penalties that collectively underscore the seriousness of the offense. Fischer was barred from holding public office for two years, ordered to forfeit 20,000 euros (approximately $23,480), and required to pay a further 12,000 euros (around $14,000) into a victim support fund. The ruling represents the first time a former German MP has been convicted for accepting bribes while still holding public office, a milestone that anti-corruption advocates say could have broader implications across Europe.

Fischer served in the Bundestag until 2021 and was part of Germany’s delegation to PACE between 2010 and 2018. During that period, the court found, he consistently acted in ways favorable to Azerbaijan. Judges concluded that Fischer shared confidential documents with Azerbaijani representatives, delivered speeches that echoed Baku’s official positions, and repeatedly cast votes aligned with Azerbaijan’s interests, particularly at times when the country was facing mounting criticism over its human rights record.

The court acknowledged that elements of Fischer’s alleged arrangement with Azerbaijani officials dated back to as early as 2011. However, German prosecutors faced a significant legal hurdle: a political bribery law criminalizing lawmakers’ acceptance of benefits in exchange for exercising their mandate only came into force later. As a result, the court ruled that 79,000 euros (about $92,700) in cash payments Fischer allegedly received through August 2014 could not be prosecuted because they predated the relevant legislation.

Despite this limitation, the judges determined that Fischer received additional cash payments totaling 24,500 euros (roughly $28,770) after the law had entered into force. It was these later payments that formed the legal basis for his conviction. Prosecutors argued that the evidence demonstrated a clear quid pro quo, while the defense insisted there was no proof Fischer had ever accepted money from Azerbaijan.

Fischer himself denied all charges throughout the proceedings, maintaining that he had never received any illicit funds and that his positions within PACE reflected legitimate political views rather than foreign influence. The court, however, rejected his explanations as lacking credibility. According to German media reports, Fischer’s legal team has already filed an appeal against the verdict, meaning the case may continue through higher judicial review.

The conviction follows a similar ruling by the same Munich court in July 2025 against Eduard Lintner, another former CDU lawmaker. Lintner, who was no longer serving as an MP at the time of his offenses, was found guilty of bribery related to Azerbaijan’s influence efforts. During his trial, Lintner argued that his actions amounted to lawful lobbying motivated by what he described as “honorable motives.” Like Fischer, he has reportedly appealed his sentence.

Both cases are closely linked to the Azerbaijani Laundromat, a massive money-laundering and influence operation exposed in 2017 by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and its media partners. The investigation revealed how Azerbaijan’s ruling elite allegedly used a secret $2.9 billion slush fund to enrich themselves and funnel money to European politicians, lobbyists, and intermediaries. The goal, investigators said, was to soften criticism of Azerbaijan’s government and deflect scrutiny over allegations of corruption, election fraud, and widespread human rights abuses.

PACE, the Council of Europe’s parliamentary body, played a central role in the scandal. At the time, the assembly was responsible for monitoring member states’ compliance with democratic standards and human rights obligations. Critics argue that Azerbaijan’s payments to foreign politicians undermined the institution’s credibility, particularly when reports critical of Baku were watered down or blocked altogether.

Transparency International Germany welcomed Fischer’s conviction as a long-overdue step toward accountability. Responding to the verdict, the organization said that “while some European politicians were accepting bribes to promote Azerbaijan’s interests and silence dissent within the Council of Europe, human rights activists and political prisoners sat behind bars in Baku.” The statement highlighted the stark contrast between the privileges enjoyed by corrupt officials abroad and the repression faced by critics inside Azerbaijan.

Calling the ruling “an important step forward for accountability in Germany and Europe,” Transparency International Germany urged other countries implicated in the Laundromat scandal to pursue similar investigations and prosecutions. Anti-corruption advocates have long argued that the case should not be viewed as a purely German issue, but rather as a transnational failure that exposed weaknesses in Europe’s safeguards against foreign influence.

Fischer and Lintner were initially scheduled to stand trial together, reflecting the interconnected nature of their alleged activities. However, Fischer’s proceedings were delayed due to illness, resulting in separate verdicts. Together, the two convictions send a strong signal that German courts are willing to scrutinize the conduct of senior politicians, even years after the alleged crimes took place.

Whether these rulings will prompt broader reforms within European institutions remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the Azerbaijani Laundromat scandal continues to reverberate nearly a decade after it was first uncovered. As appeals proceed and pressure mounts on other countries to act, the Fischer conviction stands as a reminder of how vulnerable democratic institutions can be when transparency and accountability fail-and of the long road required to restore public trust once they do.

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