“With a certain regularity”
After cocaine confession: Justice investigates SPD MP
10.12.2024Reading time: 1 Min.
The Osnabrück public prosecutor’s office is investigating Manuel Gava. The SPD politician admitted that he had consumed cocaine for months.
The Osnabrück public prosecutor’s office is officially investigating the Osnabrück SPD member of the Bundestag Manuel Gava for drug offenses. “We have now initiated the investigation,” confirmed Alexander Retemeyer, spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office, when asked by the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” on Tuesday.
The accusation against the 33-year-old is a violation of the Narcotics Act. The investigation was initiated after Gava admitted his cocaine use.
Gava has represented the Osnabrück constituency in the Bundestag since 2021. At the end of November, he publicly announced that he would not run for the Bundestag again, citing “health reasons.” Shortly afterwards, however, Gava admitted to the “NOZ” that he had consumed cocaine “with a certain regularity” over a period of several months from the summer to the end of 2023.
The initiation of investigations against members of parliament is subject to strict guidelines set out in federal law. According to the guidelines for criminal proceedings and fine proceedings, members of the Bundestag must first inform both the President of the Bundestag and the Federal Ministry of Justice about the allegations. According to “NOZ”, this happened in the past few days. Manuel Gava himself also received notification – according to Retemeyer, by letter.
Members of the Bundestag actually enjoy immunity, which means they are protected from criminal prosecution. Only when immunity is lifted can investigations be initiated. However, this was not necessary for Manuel Gava. The reason: The Bundestag has given general approval to carry out investigations against members of parliament for the current electoral period. The immunity does not have to be specifically lifted by the Bundestag for this.