The News

Prosecutors Want German Nationalist’s Immunity Lifted

April 22, 2017, Frauke Petry looks thoughtful at the party convention of Germany's nationalist party AfD (Alternative for Germany) in Cologne, Germany

BERLIN – Prosecutors want a German nationalist party leader’s immunity lifted so they can pursue an investigation of allegations that she lied under oath.

News agency dpa reported that Ivo Klatte, a spokesman for the state legislature in the eastern Saxony region, said Monday the request for Frauke Petry’s immunity to be lifted was made last week. He said a decision isn’t expected before the end of August.

Petry is a co-leader of Alternative for Germany, which hopes to enter Germany’s national parliament in a Sept. 24 election, and also its top regional lawmaker in Saxony.

The investigation centers on differing accounts given by Petry and another party official to a state legislature committee in relation to a candidate list for a 2014 regional election. The party said it stands by Petry.