Infrastructure Minister Schütz's immunity discontinued for a second time - Ministerial Immunity of Infrastructure Minister Schütz revoked for second time
The German Press Agency (dpa) reported on the latest development in the case of Thuringia's Infrastructure Minister, Steffen Schütz. The State Prosecutor's Office in Erfurt is seeking to suspend Schütz's immunity to investigate new allegations of corruption.
Last year, investigations against Schütz and Thuringia's Finance Minister Katja Wolf were discontinued due to the Mallorca trip and related corruption allegations. However, recent findings have prompted the State Prosecutor's Office to reconsider the case.
Schütz maintains his innocence regarding the allegations. He has agreed to the suspension of his immunity to allow for a prompt investigation by the State Prosecutor's Office. If approved by the Justice Committee of the Thuringian Landtag, Schütz's immunity will be temporarily lifted, enabling the investigation to proceed.
The investigation centres around an invitation Schütz allegedly issued for a New Year's trip to his finca on Mallorca. Investigators are also examining another invitation issued by Schütz for the same purpose. The name of the person Schütz allegedly invited has not been disclosed, and there is no information available explaining why this event was not considered in the initial investigation against Schütz.
Schütz and Wolf had jointly campaigned to establish a future centre for German unity and European transformation in Eisenach. Their bid ultimately failed, and the centre was awarded to Halle an der Saale.
It is not the first time that Schütz and Wolf have been embroiled in controversy. Previous investigations against them were discontinued in mid-July, with the State Prosecutor's Office stating at the time that there was insufficient evidence.
The State Prosecutor's Office in Erfurt has not commented on its application for the suspension of Schütz's immunity. Katja Wolf, however, has stated that she bore all the costs of her stay at Schütz's finca privately, which could be proven.
The development comes as a blow to Schütz, who enjoys protection from criminal prosecution as a member of the Thuringian Landtag, known as parliamentary immunity. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen whether Schütz will be cleared of the new allegations.
Read also:
- Treasured Institution, the Smithsonian, Unfalteringly Unscathed by Alterations [column]
- François Bayrou, in a recent disclosure by Mediapart, undertook a renovation project on his city hall office in Pau, costing around €40,000.
- Proposal for a Commission Directive forthcoming
- Libertarian Party selects former Republican governor as their presidential candidate
