Overview

• Raids began around 6 a.m. on September 25 at homes, association offices and care‑service premises in Cologne and in the Rheinisch‑Bergischer and Oberbergischer districts.
• Ten suspects, described by police as predominantly of Russian background, are under investigation over a scheme targeting Russian‑speaking eligible voters.
• Investigators say postal voting documents were requested in voters’ names and redirected to organizations where suspects were active before being returned to the city.
• Police seized numerous phones and data carriers, and eight suspects were taken to headquarters for identification processing and questioning.
• The electoral office detected irregularities on election day and filed a complaint, a special unit continues the probe, and preliminary results show the SPD list leading with 26.86 percent.