AfD MP Arrested in Saxony Parliament Over Belarus Sanctions Breach

Dramatic Arrest in Parliament Chamber

In an unprecedented move in German parliamentary history, Alternative for Germany (AfD) member of parliament Jörg Dornau was arrested directly inside the Saxony state parliament chamber on February 4, 2026. The 56-year-old politician was taken into custody by police officers just before a plenary session was set to begin, following a special vote that stripped him of his parliamentary immunity.

Sanctions Violation Investigation

The Leipzig public prosecutor's office is investigating Dornau for alleged violations of Germany's Foreign Trade and Payments Act. According to authorities, Dornau falsely declared Kazakhstan as the destination for a telescopic handler (agricultural vehicle) in August 2022, when the equipment was actually sent to Belarus. This circumvented European Union sanctions imposed on Belarus following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

'Transactions that circumvent the export ban are prohibited and punishable,' stated the public prosecutor's office in their official announcement.

Business Ties to Belarus

Dornau operates a substantial agricultural business in Belarus through his company OOO Zybulka-Bel, which cultivates vegetables on over 1,000 hectares near Lida. The AfD politician has faced previous scrutiny for his Belarusian operations, including allegations that political prisoners from Alexander Lukashenko's regime were used as forced labor on his onion farm.

In 2024, Dornau was fined €20,862 by the Saxony parliament for failing to properly disclose his income from Belarusian business activities. While prosecutors investigated the forced labor allegations, they found insufficient evidence for criminal charges under German law.

Political Fallout and Reactions

The arrest has intensified scrutiny of the AfD's connections to Russia and Belarus. The far-right party has maintained a pro-Russian stance since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, advocating for the lifting of sanctions and maintaining diplomatic contacts with Moscow.

AfD parliamentary group leader Jörg Urban called the arrest 'politically motivated' and 'staged for media consumption.' However, the party's federal leadership has begun distancing itself from Dornau, stating they would 'clearly distance themselves if the allegations are confirmed.'

Historical Precedent and Legal Implications

This marks the first time in Saxony's parliamentary history that a sitting MP has been arrested within the parliament building. The immunity committee's recommendation to lift Dornau's protection passed despite opposition from AfD members, who voted against the measure.

Simultaneously with the arrest, investigators searched Dornau's home, vehicles, and business premises. If convicted of sanctions violations, he could face up to five years in prison under German law.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about EU sanctions enforcement and the challenges of monitoring compliance among political figures with international business interests. It also raises questions about the AfD's relationship with authoritarian regimes as the party continues to gain political influence in eastern German states.