November 04, 2020, 12:50 p.m.
Koblenz / Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) After calling for violence at a demonstration in Mainz, the Koblenz Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the state parliament member Stefan Rpple. The politician is suspected of having publicly incited a crime. The immunity of the MP, who still belongs to the AfD parliamentary group, was lifted on Tuesday, said Attorney General Jrgen Brauer of the German Press Agency. The authority from Koblenz is responsible because an extremist crime is in the room. Rpple was surprised by the allegation on Wednesday and announced that he would consult with his lawyer.
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The justice center in Koblenz.
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At the end of September, Rpple called for a violent overthrow of the government at a demonstration in Mainz. The AfD parliamentary group in Baden-Wurttemberg then announced that it would expel him from the parliamentary group with immediate effect. It remains unclear why the MP is still listed as a member of the parliamentary group four weeks later. According to a spokesman, the group is waiting for a written statement from Rpple, who is at least no longer a member of the party. At the end of September, the Federal Arbitration Court of the AfD confirmed his exclusion from the party.
Members of the Landtag and Bundestag have immunity so that they are initially protected against criminal prosecution. However, as in Rpple’s case, public prosecutors can investigate if the state parliament merely confirms receipt of the letter from the public prosecutor’s office. A spokesman for the state parliament said on Wednesday that one generally does not comment on immunity issues.
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