Police search home of aide to AfD's lead Berlin election candidate

Berlin prosecutors announced on Friday that police had carried out a search at the home of a staff member of Kristin Brinker, the AfD's lead candidate for Berlin's regional parliament election.

The search took place just days ahead of the upcoming Berlin regional parliament election, in which Brinker is running as one of the party's top candidates.

Prosecutors made the search public but did not disclose further details about the reasons behind it, its legal basis, or the exact timing. It also remains unclear whether the search is connected to Brinker herself or solely to the staff member in question.

The AfD (Alternative for Germany) is a right-wing, eurosceptic party that has seen growing support among German voters in recent years, including in Berlin. The development comes at a politically sensitive moment, occurring in the final stretch of the campaign period, when the activities of parties and candidates face heightened scrutiny.

It is not yet known whether the search has led to any charges or what, if any, impact it might have on the outcome of the Berlin election.