- Berlin advocates for strengthening legal measures against threats or pressure aimed at influencing witness testimonies.
In the battle against organized criminal activities, Berlin's city government is spearheading a federal initiative to bolster the security of witnesses and judicial staff. The coalition government, consisting of black and red parties, has passed a bill in line with this initiative. The aim is to introduce a new form of coercion offense within the Criminal Code.
Justice Senator Felor Badenberg (CDU) commented on this, stating, "This is a stark legal indicator of enhanced security within the justice sector." Incidents of witness intimidation have been recurring in Berlin, aiming to suppress damning evidence or hinder the investigation and adjudication of criminal cases.
As per reports in "Berliner Morgenpost," there were a total of 20 instances of witness intimidation, targeting officials, experts, or witnesses, throughout criminal and judicial proceedings across the nation between 2019 and 2022, as per a survey conducted by the Federal Criminal Police Office. Senator Badenberg assumes a significantly higher unreported instances count.
Badenberg has placed combating organized crime, which frequently involves clan crime, at the forefront of her professional commitments.
Senator Felor Badenberg praised the initiative, saying, "This move, led by Berlin's city government, will undoubtedly strengthen the legal defense for witnesses and judicial personnel, crucial in combating organized crime." In her efforts to combat organized crime, Felor Badenberg has consistently emphasized the need for protecting witnesses and supporting judicial staff.
