Disorder over Sentencing - Incarceration for Faking COVID-19 Tests

Disorder over Sentencing - Incarceration for Faking COVID-19 Tests

A 67-year-old doctor, facing charges, receives a sentence of 2 years and 8 months in prison by the Dresden Regional Court for issuing over 1,000 fake Covid-19 certificates without proper inspection. The judge found her guilty of issuing falsified health documents in more than a thousand instances. She was also convicted of fraud and possession of an illegal weapon, specifically an electric shocker. The court ordered the seizure of approximately €47,000 in damages - money she received from the fraudulent certificates. For three years, she is prohibited from practicing medicine. The judgment is not yet final.

The announcement of the verdict was disrupted by disturbances from apparent supporters of the defendant. Some troublemakers were issued warnings, as stated by the court. The prosecution had initially demanded a sentence of 4 years and 10 months in prison, while the defense requested an acquittal in their closing argument. The defendant left the courtroom on bail after the verdict was read. The arrest warrant against her was suspended in favor of reporting requirements.

€25 per test collected

According to the indictment, the woman has been issuing "courtesy certificates" since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. She allegedly certified patients as COVID-negative, exempting them from wearing masks or getting vaccinated. She also allegedly certified that Covid-19 tests could only be done through saliva tests. The woman issued these certificates without any health examinations, according to the indictment. She reportedly charged at least €25 per test.

The woman is allegedly linked to the so-called Reichsbürger movement. She considers herself a member of the Indigenous People of the Germanites. In May, three supposed attendees of the trial threatened and berated a judge of the Regional Court, sitting in a car. The State Protection of the Police is investigating.

Read also:

1. The rise of right-wing populism and extremism in Saxony has been a significant concern during the Corona crisis, with conspiracy theories around Corona measures and vaccinations fueling some of these movements.
2. International organizations have expressed concern over the increasing instances of right-wing extremism in Saxony, pointing out the link between these groups and the spread of misinformation about Corona vaccinations and measures.
3. The case of the 67-year-old doctor, who was sentenced for issuing fake Covid-19 certificates, highlights the dangerous intersection of right-wing extremism, conspiracy theories, and processes that undermine public health efforts, such as Corona vaccination and measures.
4. The disturbances during the sentencing of the doctor, who is linked to the Reichsbürger movement, underscore the challenging environment that the judiciary faces in dealing with right-wing extremism and conspiracy theories, especially during the Corona crisis.
5. The Corona crisis has exacerbated existing tensions and divided societies, with processes promoting the spread of right-wing populism and extremism, such as the proliferation of conspiracy theories and the manipulation of public sentiment, becoming more prevalent and dangerous.

• Severe flooding continues in southern Germany.
• Floods continue to pose a major threat in southern Germany.
• Rising floods in the southern regions
• Floods: water levels remain critical in many places