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German Federal States — News — North Rhine-Westphalia — Lützerath — German Press Agency — Germany — Local court — Bodily injury — Energy — France — Demonstrations — Climate — Public prosecutor's office — Erkelenz — Indictment — Crime

Police under assault: "Monk of Lützerath" accused

A "monk" topples a police officer stranded in the mud during Lützerath's evacuation; global attention focused on this event, and now the individual beneath the hood will face court.

,   and  Anne Legman
2 min read
Police officers and protesters confront each other during a demonstration by climate activists on...
Police officers and protesters confront each other during a demonstration by climate activists on the edge of the opencast lignite mine near Lützerath.

A Frenchman serves as the defendant. - Police under assault: "Monk of Lützerath" accused

A French climate activist, dubbed the "Monk of Lützerath," has been charged by the prosecutor's office and will face trial at the Erkelenz District Court for allegedly attacking police officers while disguised as a monk. This was confirmed by a court spokesperson for the German Press Agency. The individual, aged 28, is accused of hurting public servants and causing bodily harm.

The "Monk of Lützerath" became a global sensation in January 2023. In online videos, the hooded and robed individual was caught on camera pushing a police officer who was stuck in the mud. The village of Lützerath was being cleared to make way for coal mining, causing violent clashes with the police.

The indictment states that the accused first kicked a police officer from behind in the leg in the afternoon of January 14th, causing him to fall and sustain injuries. The officer endured shoulder pain and multiple hematomas as a result. The man in the monk's clothing is then said to have pushed a police officer twice, who had been attempting to assist a colleague who had also become stuck in the mud. This incident went viral.

The accused was identified, in part, due to his alleged involvement in riots in France while wearing a monk's habit. Additionally, the Frenchman is believed to have confessed to being "Monk of Lützerath" in an interview with the magazine "stern" in February.

During the interview, the activist exhibited no remorse, commenting, "It was kind of fun, yes. And I was actually surprised that I didn't get stuck in the mud myself." The court has not yet accepted the indictment, and a trial date has not been set.

"stern" magazine's Twitter account shared the interview with the Monk of Lützerath

Read also:

  1. The defendant hails from France and has gained international fame as the "Monk of Lützerath."
  2. The accused's actions in North Rhine-Westphalia, specifically in Lützerath, have led to charges for allegedly causing bodily injury to German police officers.
  3. The Frenchman's case will be heard at the Erkelenz District Court, with the German Press Agency confirming the trial proceedings.
  4. Germany is not the only country where the "Monk of Lützerath" has been associated with lawlessness; he is also suspected of participating in riots in France while in monk's attire.
  5. The accused's blatant admission of his actions in an interview with "stern" magazine has added fuel to the ongoing case, with no remorse expressed for his role in the violent clashes.
  6. Environmental protests and demonstrations related to climate change in Lützerath, including the use of energy sources, have generated a significant amount of controversy and unrest in the region.
  7. The public prosecutor's office in Erkelenz is processing the indictment against the "Monk of Lützerath," and a trial date has yet to be set.

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