Overview

• Klaus Esser, an AfD lawmaker in North Rhine-Westphalia, is under investigation for allegedly falsifying academic qualifications and misusing professional titles.
• Prosecutors in Aachen conducted a search of Esser's home in Düren as part of the ongoing investigation into the forgery allegations.
• Esser is accused of submitting fake academic credentials when applying for a senior position within the AfD party.
• Additional accusations include manipulating membership data by assigning new members false addresses to benefit his local party chapter.
• Esser denies all allegations, claiming the accusations are part of an internal effort to damage his reputation, while a party expulsion process against him is underway.