German police detained Jörg Dornau, a deputy in Saxony's state parliament and member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, over allegations connected to his business operations in Belarus, where political prisoners allegedly worked on his farm.
Authorities escorted Dornau from the plenary chamber during a legislative session and questioned him in the parliament building. According to Polish Radio, prosecutors are investigating allegations that political prisoners were forced to work on an onion plantation he operates with Belarusian partners.
The detention follows the Saxony parliament's decision to lift Dornau's parliamentary immunity, opening the way for criminal investigation. If convicted, he faces up to five years imprisonment. In 2024, he was fined €20,862 for failing to properly declare income from his Belarus operations.
In Russia, as in much of the former Soviet space, understanding requires reading between the lines. Belarus serves as a critical conduit in the post-Soviet space, maintaining close ties with Moscow while providing economic opportunities for European businesses willing to navigate the sanctions environment and political sensitivities.
Reporting from German media outlet Die Welt indicates that Dornau's company exported machinery to Belarus via Poland and Kazakhstan, potentially circumventing EU sanctions that prohibit such exports. The machinery transfers raise questions about broader networks that maintain economic ties despite official restrictions.
The allegations center on conditions at Dornau's agricultural operation. The Guardian reported that approximately 30 prisoners, including at least one political prisoner, worked at the onion plantation in February 2024. The use of forced labor from Belarus's extensive prison system, which holds numerous political dissidents, has drawn international condemnation.
Belarus under President Alexander Lukashenko has maintained Soviet-era practices of prison labor while intensifying political repression following the disputed 2020 election. Human rights organizations estimate thousands of political prisoners remain detained, many subjected to forced labor in agriculture and manufacturing.
The AfD, classified by Germany's domestic intelligence service as "demonstrably right-wing extremist," has maintained notably friendly positions toward Russia and Belarus compared to other German political parties. However, the party's federal leadership has publicly distanced itself from Dornau following the allegations.
The case illuminates how Belarus functions within European-Russian dynamics. Positioned between EU member Poland and Russia, Minsk has leveraged its geographic and political position to maintain economic relationships despite international isolation. Western businesses operating there navigate complex terrain involving sanctions compliance, political risk, and ethical concerns.
For AfD, the detention poses political complications as the party seeks to expand beyond its eastern German strongholds. The party has advocated for reduced sanctions on Russia and improved relations with Moscow, positions that resonate with some voters but attract scrutiny regarding foreign influence.
Historically, Germany's eastern states including Saxony have maintained different perspectives on relations with the former Soviet space, partly reflecting economic ties and cultural connections that predated German reunification. These regional differences occasionally manifest in political positions diverging from federal consensus.
The investigation also raises questions about oversight of parliamentary members' foreign business interests. Germany's transparency rules require declaration of outside income, but enforcement mechanisms and verification of foreign operations remain challenging, particularly in jurisdictions with limited transparency like Belarus.
As prosecutors continue their investigation, the case serves as a reminder of the complex networks connecting European politics with post-Soviet states. Whether involving agricultural operations, energy relationships, or political coordination, these connections continue shaping dynamics across the region despite official barriers.
