- Federal police are asking climate activists to cash in
Federal Police demanded around 6,400 euros from climate activists for their operations at the capital's airport BER. The background to this are protests by the climate group "last generation" on November 24 and December 8, 2022, and on May 5, 2023. Following these protests, the Federal Police have issued fee notices to 16 individuals involved, as a spokesperson for the German Press Agency reported.
According to the information provided, the fees have become final in 11 cases, meaning the affected individuals can no longer appeal against them. In four cases, the authorities are still examining the respective appeals lodged, and in one case, an appeal has been lodged against the notice of appeal.
The fees demanded from the climate activists vary greatly, depending on the duration of the operation and the number of police officers deployed.
For the operation on December 8, 2022, the Federal Police demanded 3,050 euros in fees, to be paid by six climate activists who managed to enter the cordoned-off area of the airport. For the action in May 2023, during which climate protesters entered the airport grounds and sprayed a private plane with paint, the total amount is around 2,280 euros for seven people.
Currently, the Federal Police are trying to prevent further disruptions at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER). Following protests at the airports in Cologne/Bonn, Frankfurt/Main, and Leipzig, the level of protection has been increased, according to police and operators.
Lawsuits after paint attacks
Following protest actions such as paint attacks or traffic blockades by adhering to streets, other authorities are also trying to bill climate activists. However, this is proving difficult, according to a report by the "Tagesspiegel". Most districts stated in a survey that they had financed smaller repairs to roads from their own funds.
However, the state of Berlin is suing climate activists after the paint attack on the Brandenburg Gate on September 17, 2023. According to the Senate Department for Finance, they are to pay around 142,000 euros. It is still unclear when the Berlin Regional Court will deal with the lawsuit.
The report by the "Tagesspiegel" mentions that other authorities, apart from the Federal Police, are encountering challenges in billing climate activists for damages caused during protests. Despite this, the state of Berlin has initiated lawsuits against some activists, seeking around 142,000 euros in compensation following a paint attack on the Brandenburg Gate.
In light of these incidents, it appears that 'Other' authorities are also following suit in attempting to hold climate activists accountable for their actions during protests, much like the Federal Police.
