Court classifies last generation as criminal
Raids against members of the Last Generation are lawful, as the climate group is a criminal organization. This has now been decided by the Munich Regional Court. In doing so, the court rejects claims brought by several of the group's activists.
In a legally binding decision, Munich Regional Court I has classified the climate protection group Letzte Generation as a criminal organization. The court's criminal division ruled that the purpose and activities of the association were aimed at committing criminal offenses. Among other things, the court referred to the blockades of roads and airports by climate activists from Last Generation.
With this decision, the court dismissed ten complaints by climate activists against searches and seizures authorized by the Munich District Court as unfounded. They have no further legal recourse. The district court ruled that the Last Generation fulfilled the requirement of an association because, according to the investigations to date, it constituted a long-term association. For the assessment that the purpose of the association is to commit criminal acts, it is not a prerequisite that this must be the main purpose in order to be classified as a criminal association. It is sufficient if the commission of criminal offenses is one of several possible purposes.
Acts pose a significant threat to public safety
In the specific case of the Last Generation, this included the coercion of road users, in particular by taping them up, and damage to property as essential purposes for the group. In the opinion of the court, these acts also constitute a significant threat to public safety. In view of the disruption and blockades of the operation of various airports and concerted actions to interrupt the flow of various oil pipelines, the court ruled that the offenses could not be assumed to be minor either. Search warrants were therefore lawful.
The court emphasized that social discourse is violated by illegitimate means when a group attempts to place itself - possibly with moral high ground - above the rule of law and democratic processes. The court emphasized that criminal acts are not a means of free, democratic discussion under the rule of law, but an expression of criminal energy and as such must be assessed in a legally sober manner.
The decision was made in connection with a preliminary investigation by the Munich Public Prosecutor General's Office against numerous members of the Last Generation. In these proceedings, they are accused of forming a criminal organization, among other things. The Munich district court issued several search and seizure warrants in May. The regional court has now confirmed the conditions for issuing the search warrants.
- This decision by the Munich Regional Court has sparked international controversy, with many viewing the classification of Last Generation as a criminal organization as a threat to climate protection activism and freedom of speech.
- The climate justice movement in Bavaria has firmly denied any links to criminal activities, stating that their protests are peaceful and aimed at raising awareness about the urgent need for climate action.
- In response to the Munich court's decision, local climate activists in Munich have announced plans for a series of peaceful protests against climate injustice and the criminalization of dissent.
- The Last Generation's criminalization in Munich has raised questions about the global impact of crackdowns on climate activism, with similar movements facing threats and persecution in various countries around the world.
Source: www.ntv.de
