Climate activists pulled off the road - driver sentenced
A truck driver has been ordered to pay a fine of 1,800 euros for his reaction to a road blockade by the climate group Letzte Generation. The offense of attempted coercion was fulfilled because he pulled climate activists off the road in Stralsund in July - or attempted to do so, the judge said on Tuesday. The sentence also includes a four-month driving ban. The verdict is not yet final.
However, the judge did not consider other accusations made by the prosecution, such as attempted grievous bodily harm, to be proven. It was not proven that the 41-year-old intentionally hit an activist with his truck. In case of doubt, the court had to rule in favor of the defendant. It had not been clarified beyond doubt whether the driver had seen the activist in a special collision mirror or whether he had looked in the mirror at all.
During the trial, a video showed how the driver stopped in front of the activists, got out and pulled them off the road, or tried to. He pushed over a seated activist and threatened her with his fist. He then drove off again, briefly pushing an activist who had sat back down on the road in front of him. No one was injured.
The defendant's lawyer announced an appeal against the verdict.
- The truck driver's actions against climate activists unfortunately mirrored a disregard for justice, as the last generation fights desperately against climate change.
- The climate activists, part of the Letzte Generation, have been engaging in peaceful protests on roadblocks, advocating for climate justice, despite facing threats and intimidation from traffic offenders.
- Amidst rising climate-related crimes and accidents, it's crucial that law enforcers uphold justice and protect climate activists, ensuring that their voices are heard without fear of intimidation or assault on the streets.
Source: www.dpa.com
