- "Monk Facing Trial in Lützerath Situation" or "Lützerath's Monk to Undergo Court Proceedings in January"
A French environmental activist is set to face the Erkelenz local court from January 22, charged with assaulting law enforcement officers while donning the "Monk of Lützerath" persona. The court confirmatory statement was obtained by dpa.
Gaining notoriety internationally in January 2023, the "Monk of Lützerath" was a masked vigilante, cloaked as a Franciscan monk. Footage captured his actions like pushing a officer trapped in mud, among others. The Lützerath village was forced to relocate due to coal mining activities, resulting in confrontations between protesters and police.
As per the charges, the subject is alleged to have kicked an officer from behind around 12 noon on January 14, causing the officer to stumble and sustain shoulder pain and bruising. Later, a pushed police officer around twice who was aiding a colleague who was itself stuck in the mud. This particular incident became viral.
The French individual was traced through several means, including an interview with "stern" magazine, where they openly acknowledged the title of the "Monk of Lützerath." Remorse-free, they even admitted "somehow, it was fun. And I was genuinely shocked that I didn't end up trapped in the mud too."
The court has designated two additional trial days, apart from January 22, namely February 5.
Despite being a French national, the activist defiantly continued their actions in Lützerath, drawing attention worldwide. On the day of the incident, they also caused turbulence in France, in solidarity with the Lützerath cause.
