Investigation into SPD MP Ahmetovic – Politze steps down as group leader

Prosecutors in Hanover are investigating SPD Bundestag member Adis Ahmetovic, who also chairs the SPD in Hanover. A spokesperson for the prosecutor's office confirmed this to ZDF; Ahmetovic's immunity was lifted for the investigation. The spokesperson declined to say what the allegations are, citing "investigative reasons". According to ZDFheute, it has not been confirmed whether there is a link to a clinic tender in Lehrte near Hanover.

Ahmetovic's lawyer said his client had nothing to reproach himself for and had immediately offered prosecutors full cooperation. "My client wants full transparency, but the access to the files we requested immediately has been refused to this day," the lawyer said. In connection with the Lehrte case, prosecutors are examining an initial suspicion of accepting benefits in two cases against Berlin SPD politician Steffen Krach, who rejects all allegations. All those involved are presumed innocent.

The leader of the SPD group in Lower Saxony's state parliament, Stefan Politze, is also under investigation. After the parliament lifted his immunity on Wednesday, he resigned as group leader on Thursday evening. "The lifting of immunity and the reporting on it in recent days are a burden on the office," Politze said after a group meeting in Hanover.