A visit by an MEP from the Alternative for Germany right-wing Populist Party (AfD), Marcus Pretzell, in April 2016 to the Russian annexed Crimea was paid for by a Russian organization, as was reported on Saturday, January 21, by Der Spiegel, a German weekly news magazine, citing documents provided by the German politician at the request of the ethics committee of the European Parliament.

Pretzell acknowledged the veracity of this information in a conversation with reporters at a conference for right-wing populists in Koblenz on January 21, DPA (German Press Agency) reports. The European deputy from the AfD said that this, in his opinion, was "a routine matter." The politician took part in a three-day Yalta International Economic Forum (YIEF) and stayed at the five-star Mriya Resort & Spa hotel.

According to Der Spiegel, all Pretzell’s expenses during the event were covered by “a Russian fund established to provide economic support to the annexed Crimea." The name of the organization was not indicated in the magazine. The YIEF is organized by a foundation of the same name which is supported by the Russian Federation Presidential Administration.

Participation in the forum cost 1,500 to 1,800 euros, the weekly reported, citing YIEF organizers. This amount does not include flight costs.

Marcus Pretzell leads the AfD office in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is married to a co-chairman of the party, Frauke Petry.

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