Ministry investigates allegations against judge

Racist comments - Ministry investigates allegations against judge

The Justice Ministry is investigating allegations against a judge at the Administrative Court in Gera. "The investigations into the validity of the raised accusations have not been completed yet and are currently the responsibility of the immediate supervisor", says the ministry.

Several media reported on various accusations against the judge, including the daily newspaper "taz" and MDR. For example, this judge reportedly granted asylum applications significantly less frequently than other judges at other administrative courts. This is alleged to have come to light from an answer to a parliamentary inquiry by the Linksfraktion in the Bundestag on asylum statistics. In the latest articles, there are reports of racist comments that the judge is said to have written on the internet, according to research by the Autonomous Antifa Freiburg.

Judge back in service only in mid-August

The affected judge denies the accusations, said the President of the Administrative Court in Gera, Michael Obhues. The court was made aware of the accusations from the press and is investigating them impartially. For example, it is being examined whether the judge should continue to work in the area of asylum law or receive other responsibilities. Disciplinary measures will also be examined. Until mid-August, the judge was not in service. Obhues assumes that corresponding decisions will be made beforehand.

1. The investigation into the judge's actions is being overseen by their immediate supervisor at the Ministry of Justice in Thuringia.
2. Following the reports in "taz" and MDR, TAZ Publishing and Distribution also covered the allegations against the judge in Erfurt.
3. If the administrative court in Gera finds evidence of the racist comments, it could result in disciplinary action being taken against the judge.
4. The Ministry of Justice in Thuringia, which is responsible for the Administrative Court in Gera, has not yet reached a conclusion regarding the validity of the accusations against the judge.

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