Dessau-Roßlau election fraud investigation

An investigation by the Dessau-Roßlau Public Prosecutor's Office into alleged election fraud and postal secrecy violations at the ‘Marthahaus’ senior residence has faced conflicting reports regarding its status.

Initial reports indicated that prosecutors had terminated the probe after finding no evidence to support claims that postal voting documents for a 95-year-old resident with dementia had been manipulated or destroyed. Authorities had noted that checks by the local election office showed no tampered envelopes and that the resident’s health did not align with the allegations. The claims had drawn political attention, with some officials accusing the AfD of using the allegations to undermine electoral integrity.

However, subsequent clarifications from the prosecutor's office stated that the investigation remains ongoing. Deputy spokesperson Alexandra Jirschik noted that while there may be a lack of evidence, the initial criminal complaint provided sufficient factual grounds to maintain a formal investigation. Authorities explained that certain investigative steps, including questioning involved parties, could only be conducted after the election had concluded due to the secrecy of the ballot.