- Former military personnel conceals explosives: probationary period
A retired soldier was given a year's probation for locking himself in his house with firearms and explosives in January. The district court in Villingen-Schwenningen found him guilty of obstructing law enforcement officers and threatening public order in a severe case.
The man is required to pay 10,000 euros to the state, do 100 hours of community service, and undergo psychiatric therapy. His probation period is set at three years, during which he must avoid committing any further offenses. The defendant confessed to the charges.
The man, identified as a sports shooter, had barricaded himself in a house in Unterkirnach, Southern Black Forest, due to an impending eviction. The prosecution believes he planned to destroy the house, which he no longer owned, and end his life. Neighbors were evacuated, and heavily armed special forces units were deployed.
Multitude of Weapons
According to a witness, numerous weapons, explosives, and thousands of rounds of ammunition were discovered in the house. The ignition devices were attached to the floor and doorframes to explode with gasoline upon entry by unauthorized individuals. He eventually surrendered without resistance after more than ten hours. During the trial, the military expert expressed remorse and admitted his mistake. He claimed to be "done with the world."
Court Agrees with Prosecution and Defense
Both the prosecution and defense had requested a one-year probation sentence, including therapy as a condition. The prosecution dropped some of the initial charges after the defendant surrendered and the worst did not occur. The court agreed with the prosecution, adding additional conditions due to the scale of the operation. The verdict is not yet final.
The following are the primary reasons for the lenient sentence: Both the prosecution and defense had requested a year's probation for the defendant. The main characteristics of this sentence include a fine, community service, and therapy.
