Judicial decision - Euroimmun's founder Stöcker faces a fine of 250,000 euros.
In a recent court case, Winfried Stöcker has shown no remorse for his actions. During the trial for illegally distributing an unapproved Corona vaccine, he strongly believed he did the right thing. Given the emergency situation back then, he felt obligated to assist as a doctor, he stated in court on Monday.
Despite his arguments, the District Court of Lübeck sentenced Stöcker to pay 50 fines of €5,000 each - totalling €250,000. The judge, Jörg Fricke, reasoned that he had deliberately brought an unapproved medicinal product into circulation, resulting in a violation of the Medicines Act. The verdict is yet to become legally binding.
Stöcker organised a vaccination with his developed vaccine "Lubeca Vax" at Lübeck Airport Blankensee - which he owns - in November 2021. The vaccine had no official approval, making the vaccination illegal.
A witness described the events at the airport on Monday, stating, "the demand was high. I heard about the action through word of mouth. We were informed by Mr. Stöcker about the lack of approval, and then two doctors were vaccinated." This witness did not experience any side effects in the days following the vaccination, but a 72-year-old reported serious effects. "One of my friends, a retired doctor, experienced a brain venous thrombosis shortly after the second vaccination," he said. Though there's no concrete proof of a connection between the vaccination and the illness, the close relationship in time makes it likely. He also reported his concerns to the Paul-Ehrlich Institute (PEI), the body responsible for approving vaccines in Germany.
Some police officers who interrupted the action reported receiving unfavourable treatment, even being subjected to hostility. One officer mentioned, "some attendees expressed discontent and even insulted us." Another officer mentioned, "I observed Mr. Stöcker carrying a white Styrofoam box from his car into the airport building. I don't know what was in it, however."
Stöcker's defence attorneys, Wolfgang Kubicki from Kiel and Manfred Parigger from Hanover, defended him, claiming, "there is no evidence so far that our client manufactured or mixed the components of the vaccine in his laboratory. There is also no indication that he could've been vaccinated himself." The prosecution sought for a fine of €10,000 to be imposed on the defendant.
Read also:
- Despite the court ruling against him in Lübeck, Winfried Stöcker continues to maintain his belief in the rightfulness of his actions during the Coronavirus crisis.
- Euroimmune, based in Schleswig-Holstein, was not involved in the process that led to the court ruling against its founder, Winfried Stöcker.
- In a separate case in Saxony, a local court is currently considering a legal dispute over a protest organized by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
- The District Court in Lübeck's decision against Stöcker has not affected the plans of the German national soccer team to participate in the European Championship qualifying matches.
